THE DYNAMICS OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN IRAQI KURDISTAN: FUTURE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) possesses many of the traditional hallmarks of political authority and society, such as state institutions (an Executive, Legislature and Judiciary), political parties, civil society, elections, and local government. Nevertheless, for the past twenty-five years, it has failed to create a unified political system that adheres to a mutually accepted form of government. Political division, in particular a rivalry between the two main parties, has proved to be a real impediment to the political development and stability of the Region.

This article that argues that there is a relationship between the nature and structure of the political parties, which reflects interests a political views of party leaders, and the political systems that have been proposed as solutions to a lack of political stability in Iraqi Kurdistan. Specifically, it argues that the individual character of the two main parties, the PUK and the KDP, explains why they favor one system of government over the one advanced by their rival and is the core political dispute in Iraqi Kurdistan currently. Finally, the article concludes by identifying potential systems of government available the KRI and the potential consequences of each.