Building Democracy in Iraq

Nervousness over the Iraq elections debate is based on the strange attraction to us of having a friendly strong man who quickly makes decisions we like rather than having rule of law lead to lengthy decision-making that may or may not end in a decision "ideal" from our point of view.

To that view I say tough. This is democracy.

I'm not the only one:

The national elections law debate is emblematic of the current state of Iraqi politics: slow, messy, and factionalized, but ultimately democratic and successful in achieving the minimum necessary to carry Iraq forward without falling apart. The bigger tests – government formation, peaceful transfer of power, and US drawdown – remain. That the Iraqis passed this early one is a cause for optimism.

Relish the democracy--don't go all wobbly over it. And stay focused since this debate is merely one part of building democracy. There will be more tests, as the author notes, and we must help Iraqis pass them.