Iraq’s political economy post 2003: From transition to corruption

Abstract This article focuses on the transition of Iraq after the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003 as a result of the American-led invasion. Although the country’s institutions were shattered, efforts to rebuild them and create a truly open and democratic society failed. Thus, regime change did not lead to changes in the fundamentals of Iraq’s political economy. The article emphasizes how money was not the reason for lack of development; on the contrary, funds flooded the system, creating an all-encompassing corruption that seeped into every facet of life. The article discusses Prime Minister Hadi al-Abadi’s reforms after eight years of new authoritarianism in Iraq under Nuri al-Maliki (2006–2014).