الثقافة السياسية في العراق وأثرها على الانتخابات التشريعية بعد عام 2003

Iraq has experienced three important breaking points in its political history, such as gaining independence, the transition from monarchy to a republic, and the U.S. occupation. These breaking points have played an important role in shaping the political culture. The aim of this study is to reveal the effect of political culture on the Post-2003 legislative elections by narrating its historical background. Although there are studies dealing with a limited period of Iraqi political culture or the political culture of a particular group in the literature, no study has been found that explores the relationship between political culture and legislative elections. The study fills this gap. In the study, Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, and Yazidis as ethnic groups, and Sunnis and Shiites as religious groups were chosen as the main analysis parameters. In addition, sub-factions within those groups were also included in the analysis. The study reveals those; despite all the political achievements and the establishment of political institutions, Iraq couldn't make any significant progress in terms of becoming a nation. Sectarian and ethnic identities directly affect voting preferences. Political parties are reluctant to form alliances to realize national interests at the cost of making concessions on the group interests. They also fail to develop new programs and policies. The voters do not trust political institutions, parties, and leaders. Moreover, the reduction of political participation to voting prevents citizens' political activeness and the emergence of consociational politics. The existing political culture makes the country vulnerable to jihadism, new ethnic and sectarian separatism, and global and regional political interventions. Keywords: Political culture, legislative elections, sectarian politics, ethnic politics, Iraq