Shiism, Identity Politics, and Democracy in Iraq.

This paper offers an analysis of modern shiite political thought in Iraq. Given the power vacuum in 2003, a multiplicity of voices surfaced among Iraqi ayatollahs about the relationship between religion and politics, and democracy..x000d.Saddam Hussein, Shiite Ayatollahs in Iraq were under close scrutiny. Though they offered their political views through their writings and political decrees (fatawa), they were never given the opportunity to express their political views in an open dialogue with competing groups. Since 2003, we are witnessing a moment in history where Shiite identity is being consolidated. .x000d.The process in Iraq is a case study in identity politics. This paper offers a break down of competing visions for statehood and how the ayatollahs rationalize an inclusive, modern, Iraqi state. This research is based on the analysis of primary documents, in Arabic ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]