Iraqi Kurdistan: Political Development and Emergent Democracy (Routledgecurzon Advances in Middle East and Islamic Studies)

The Iraqi Kurds have enjoyed de facto statehood in the north of Iraq for over a decade but Intra-Kurdish fighting, military incursions by Turkey and Iran and the constant threat posed by Saddam Hussein have plagued this 'democratic experiment'. In this book, Stansfield explores the development of the Kurdish political system since 1991. He examines the difficult and often violent relations between the two dominant powers, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and their relationship with the Kurdish Regional Government in order to understand the current state of Iraqi Kurdish politics and the operation of the state.This topical in-depth study identifies the main dynamics of Iraqi Kurdish politics, analyzes the record and potential of the 'Kurdish democratic experiment', and identifies the present and future Kurdish leaders. The Iraqi Kurds Have Enjoyed De Facto Statehood In The North Of Iraq For Over A Decade. Existing In A Region Where The Kurdish De Facto State Is Surrounded By Reactionary And Suspicious Neighbours, The Experience Has Been Fraught With Difficulties. Intra-kurdish Fighting, Military Incursions By Turkey And Iran And The Threat Posed By Saddam Hussein Have Plagued This 'democratic Experiment'. However, An Administrative System Has Developed And A Political System Displaying Enhanced Stability Has Emerged, In Spite Of The Ever-present Problems. In This Book, Stansfield Explores The Development Of The Kurdish Political System Since 1991. He Examines The Difficult And Often Violent Relations Between The Two Dominant Parties, The Kurdistan Democratic Party (kdp) And The Patriotic Union Of Kurdistan (puk), And The Institutionalisation Of The Kurdistan Regional Government (krg). This Is Necessary For An Understanding Of The Current State Of Iraqi Kurdish Politics And The Means By Which The De Facto State Operates. At A Time When Iraq Is Increasingly Prominent In Foreign Affairs, And The Kurds Are Often Highlighted As Potential Agents Of Change, This In-depth Study Identifies The Main Dynamics Of Iraqi Kurdish Politics, Analyses The Record And Potential Of The 'kurdish Democratic Experiment', And Identifies The Present And Future Kurdish Leaders.--jacket. Introduction -- Theory And Methodology -- Contextual Analysis -- The Development Of The Party Political System -- The Decision-making Processes Of The Kdp And Puk -- The Organizational Structure Of The Kurdistan Regional Government(s) -- The Kurdistan Regional Government(s), 1992-2002 -- Conclusion. Gareth R.v. Stansfield. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [209]-255) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of figures......Page 10 List of tables......Page 11 Foreword......Page 12 Acknowledgements......Page 14 List of abbreviations......Page 16 Introduction......Page 18 Theory and methodology......Page 28 Contextual analysis......Page 43 The development of the party political system......Page 77 The decision-making processes of the KDP and PUK......Page 111 The organizational structure of the Kurdistan Regional Government(s)......Page 138 The Kurdistan Regional Government(s), 1992 2002......Page 162 Conclusion......Page 194 Postscript......Page 198 Appendix 1 Population statistics......Page 203 Appendix 2 Key agreements between parties......Page 209 Appendix 3 Party lists......Page 215 Appendix 4 Election results and KNA representatives......Page 218 Notes......Page 226 Bibliography......Page 255 Index......Page 273 1. Introduction 2. Theory and methodology 3. Contextual analysis 4. The development of the party political system 5. The decision-making processes of the KDP and PUK 6. The organizational structure of the Kurdistan regional government(s) 7. The Kurdistan regional government(s), 1992-2002 8. Conclusion. In this groundbreaking study, Stansfield identifies the principal dynamics of Iraqi Kurdish politics and analyzes the record and potential of the 'Kurdish democratic experiment' and explores the development of the Kurdish political system since 1991.