A contrarian view on Iraq: hope

By Jeanette Pollara

ROME, March 6 - On a regular basis, the Bush Administration's mission to bring Western-style democracy to Iraq comes under fire, triggering the obvious question: is it possible to bring a stable, democratic government to the war-torn country?

At least one American political consultant thinks so.

During a faculty lecture on Feb. 28, Dr. Paul Rundquist gave this opinion, as well as discussing democratization and the slowing of the Third Wave. The evening's event was based on the title of Samuel P. Huntington’s book about tracing the spread of democracy.

“Donor countries need to do more, not just bring the democratization but continue with it.  I am still overly optimistic about the democratic government being established in Iraq,” he said  at the event.

Rundquist, a political consultant specializing in democratization issues, has spent much of his time with multi-national organizations working for Democrats and Republicans in Washington D.C., and for numerous United Nations development programs. He is a strong advocate of the world's most powerful democracies bringing this style of government to regions such as Iraq. He says it can only be accomplished through a good plan and by strong outside governments.

The current situation in Iraq certainly tests his thesis as the country appears on the brink of civil war since U.S.-led forces took Saddam Hussein out of power.

Many critics, including most of Europe, are doubtful the new Iraqi government can restore some semblance of stability. 

 Rundquist, however, remains convinced of the merits of Pres. Bush's original goal. “There will be definite speed bumps along the road of establishing a democratic regime.  In one sense, there is so much expectation for precision, but you cannot lose heart when something is faulty, you must continue to discuss and execute the plan put into practice by those in charge,” he says.   

 
 

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"...hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies"- Shawshank