The policies for poverty reduction strategies in Iraq (2005-2014): factors and challenges

• Main Author: Abdullatif, Aseel Sabah
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: HC Economic History and Conditions
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/9245/1/s95064_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9245/2/s95064_02.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9245/3/s95064_references.docx; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9245/

This study examines factors and challenges behind the failure of Iraqi government’s poverty reduction strategies in the aftermath of US military occupation from 2005 to 2014. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explain why, how and to what extent political, economic and security challenges affected the achievement of the goals of those strategies. To fullfil the objectives of this study, the qualitative approach was adopted. The Integrative theory was the main reference of analysis framework for this study. The study also employed elite interviews as one of the primary data sources. The interviewees were divided into three main groups. The first group of interviewees included members of parliamentary committees for economy, integrity, security and defence. Meanwhile, the second group consisted of the former Minister of Planning and three general managers in the same Ministry; whereas the third group comprised of professors from the Faculty of Political Science of University of Baghdad and University of Mustansiriya. Primary data were also obtained from various government and parliamentary reports, as well as legislative and policy instruments. Meanwhile, secondary data were mostly sourced from academic writings, such as books, and journal articles. The findings of the study show that rampant corruption in public administration and state financial management, as well as security threat and instability, have severely affected the effectiveness of poverty reduction strategies in Iraq. The country has been haunted by political corruption and security collapse that accompanied the country’s political process after the US invasion (2005-2014). There has also been a weakening of Iraqi judiciary body in terms of law enforcement against corrupters and criminals. In addition, the political and economic challenges that are currently confronted by the Iraqi governments have been arguably attributed by the wrong decisions taken by the US government. The study recommends that there is an urgent need to address the problem of corruption that is presently grasping Iraqi economy, along with the adoption of appropriate security strategies for ensuring not only the country’s stability and prosperity, but also attaining national reconciliation.