08 December، 2017
Many ideas and perspectives were presented during the week, including some views about democracy describing it as a “political mirage”, and that Iraq is a victim of that mirage. In addition, some believed that democracy affected Iraq so much as it produced a real mess in the country, comparing to the monarchy states that are mostly stable and work according to fixed strategic plans, and develop incrementally. The question is “have our societies realized democracy correctly? Alternatively, are those chosen for the democratic governance below the required level? On the other hand, were not the four years enough to apply the development plans?

 

Another perspective was presented saying that Iraq needs a hybrid regime that can be called “democratic dictatorial”. In addition, some addressed the privatization of electricity and the extent of legitimacy of its investment, since the electricity sector in itself is based on millions of dollars of the people’s money; therefore, this sector belongs to the Iraqi people and cannot be privatized in favor of the profit companies.

 

Conclusions:

 

·         According to the constitution, the responsibility is shared between the three authorities; however, the biggest responsibility is on the executive authority as the funds are under its control, and it is responsible for spending them in a correct and legal way.

 

·         It is difficult to fight corruption as it is deeply rooted in the depth of the society, so it is complex from the top of the pyramid to its bottom, in addition to the societal ignorance of the corruption consequences, and it can happen that the corrupted persons are the ones who handle fighting corruption themselves.

 

·         One type of indirect corruption is not to complete the plans and projects developed by the former ministry or official, and work on new plans again from scratch.

 

·         Iraqi society suffers fragmentation and division of what is already divided, which resulted from the multiplicity and divergence of the political currents and parties in the Iraq scene.

 

Recommendations:

 

·         The role of parliament and judiciary must complement and support the executive authority, with the parliament having an effective oversight role and the judiciary being the final arbiter in the corruption issues.

 

·         The first line of fighting corruption is to control the trafficking activities and the entry of the banned goods through the border crossings. In addition, those who fight corruption must put aside their partisan, ethnic, doctrinal and tribal affiliations.

 

·         The government system must work according to a long-term strategic plan. Moreover, the ministries and officials must be held accountable for implementing those plans based on their general lines to achieve the development advancement in all the levels of the government work.

 

·         Iraq does not only need professional managers, but it also needs leaders who have clear vision and a bold decision, with commitment to the application of the laws and legislations, and they must have competency, integrity and the ability to embrace the audience and unify it.

 

Names of some participating members during the week’s dialogue:

 

(1)   Dr. Abd Dhiab Al-Ojaili

 

(2)   Dr. Yousef Al-Taai

 

(3)   Dr. Mahdi Al-Jabouri

 

(4)   Dr. Issam Al-Saadi

 

(5)   Mr. Thaer Al-Dulaimi

 

(6)   Mr. Amer Al-Musawi

 

(7)   Mr. Husam Al-Ghazali

 

(8)   Mr. Jawad Al-Attar

 

(9)   Dr. Abdul Hakim Khasro

 

(10)  Dr. Qusai Mahbuba

 

(11)  Mr. Abd Awad

 

(12)  Mr. Fadi Al-Shammari