The Role of Globalization in the 2003 US Occupation of Iraq

Abstract

ABSTARCT This thesis is led by the question whether the US managed to build democratic governance and forge a market-based economy in Iraq, both constituted the justification for the occupation of this country in 2003. After the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991, the US allegedly became devoted to the promotion of democracy across the world through its pursuit of globalization under the George W. Bush administration. The thesis delves into globalization from a US geopolitical perspective and asks how the US was ready to unilaterally launch a war and occupy Iraq without UN authorization and even without a consensus of its allies. The local and regional repercussions of the US occupation are explored by the thesis, as well as the ways the American venture has been counterproductive for Iraq and the US itself. It enquires whether the US justifications and promises of disarming Iraq and combating terrorism proved true. What became to be known as the “Iraq quagmire” is conceptualized and analytically probed in some of its aspects. The method of collecting data is based on secondary sources including textual sources such as books and peer-reviewed journal articles. (In addition, statements, interviews, and speeches that were given by American officials to be part of the sources of this thesis) The research method adopted is qualitative. Finally, the thesis examines whether the US occupied Iraq for its stated globalization goals, or to serve US interests and control of the region and the world at large.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies