RSS« Iraq: Oh my dear readers, lawyers | Business report, my venting as it were »
September 28, 2003
Iraq: Socio-economic vignette, a particularly good article to read
Iraqi Family Ties Complicate American Efforts for Change
By JOHN TIERNEY
Published: September 28, 2003
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/international/middleeast/28CLAN.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1064734968-Hwm5nt7olQqRnjq0aHAobA&pagewanted=all&position=
A very decent article on clan and family structure as a socio-economic barrier to democracy in Iraq.
Certainly the issues involved in the clannish social structure or tribal social structure, where loyalty runs to family before all have been touched on before, but I rather liked the manner in which the article conveyed issues I think I spoke to in a fairly dry and abstract manner.
While not insurmountable, they do require a certain degree of sophistication to deal with (the disaster at work which I am dealing with is in many ways intimately related to very similar problems and local staff habits) and the naivete show by the Americans to date do not encourage confidence in this connection.
On the other hand I am hearing news that the basic economic conditions may be improving, which is a good thing. We're moving out of the horrid heat of the summer so perhaps some movement can be had on righting the economy, which will do a lot for reducing opposition.
On the other hand we have this article from The Washington Post
Analysis
Reluctance to Share Control in Iraq Leaves U.S. on Its Own
By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 28, 2003; Page A27
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10285-2003Sep27.html
Truly extraordinary, this blind obstinance. Well, true believers and all that, I am sure the pre-fooled will remain on board.
Posted by The Lounsbury at September 28, 2003 01:00 PM
Filed Under:
Jan-Dec 2003
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.aqoul.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/1887
