My Turn: Iraqi constitution a slow process
As Iraqi leaders continue to try to cobble together a new constitution for a new Iraq, it’s “two steps forward and one step back.”
The process took two steps forward last weekend, when the Shiite-Kurdish majority finalized the draft constitution, which is to be submitted to the Iraqi people for ratification in October. The process took one step back, when Sunni Arabs demanded revisions in the draft constitution before it is submitted for ratification.
Apparently, the Sunnis’ major objections now are to federalism, which they fear would result in Shiite and Kurdish “mini-states,” to the detriment of the Sunni minority. This is especially galling to those Sunnis who enjoyed relative privilege during Saddam Hussein’s long reign.
Many Sunnis also object to the purges of erstwhile members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party from government. This, too, poses a threat to their relative power, which they willingly wielded under Saddam.
Another sticking point for the Sunnis is the language in the draft constitution that characterizes Iraq as an Islamic, not an Arab, state. Their fear here is that such language links Iraq too closely with its Shiite-dominated, next-door neighbor, Iran.
Given the gulf that separates the minority Sunnis from the Shiite-Kurdish majority in Iraq, will the draft constitution bring Iraq together or tear it further apart?
The challenges facing the “new Iraq” are daunting, but not insurmountable. Resolving them will require the best efforts of leaders from all the various religious, ethnic, and secular groups in Iraqi society.
Despite the objections of the Sunnis to federalism, I believe some form of federalism is the only viable form of government for the new Iraq. To be sure, it would be a major political compromise, but the alternatives to federalism are few and probably unworkable.
One alternative to federalism would be a unitary nation-state, where all political powers flow from a centralized government. Another would be a confederation, essentially a league of independent states, where the central government has only those powers delegated to it by the member states.
I believe the case for some form of Iraqi federalism is both cogent and compelling. Federalism envisions a written constitution that divides power between a central government and regional or state governments. Both levels of government act directly upon the people through their respective officials and laws. Both are supreme within their legal sphere of authority. And, importantly, both must consent to constitutional change.
Federalism works well in such large, diverse societies as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, India, and Germany. I believe it works in these and other countries because it meets their needs by providing both diversity and unity.
Federalism is no panacea for uniting the diverse, divided groups in Iraqi society. However, it just might be a good start. What form of government the new Iraq ultimately takes is up to the Iraqis. It will take the wisdom of Solomon on their part, to get from here to there, and the patience of Job on our part, to help them do so.
Thomas B. Vaughn is a professor at Motlow College and co-host of WCPI radio show “Viewpoints,” which airs on 91.3 FM.