Notes

**Flashcard 1**
Q: Are authoritarianism and totalitarianism similar?
A:
- No.

**Flashcard 2**
Q: What characterizes authoritarian regimes?
A:
- Governed by a small group, usually a dictator or army
- Minimize popular input
- Do not control all aspects of life (leave economic, social, religious, cultural, and familial matters to individuals)
- Limit individual freedom in favor of a hierarchical organization of command, obedience, and order

**Flashcard 3**
Q: Can you give examples of authoritarian regimes?
A:
- Russia
- Zimbabwe (Dominant-Party)
- China
- Cuba (Single-Party)

**Flashcard 4**
Q: What is unique about China and Russia as authoritarian regimes?
A:
- They are 'authoritarian-capitalists'
- Allow market economies
- Tightly retain political control

Why Did Iraq Fail?
**Flashcard 1**
Q: What is the religious composition of Iraq?
A:
- 60% Shia Muslims
- 20% Sunni Arabs
- 20% Kurds (Sunnis but not Arabs)

**Flashcard 2**
Q: Who ruled Iraq under Saddam Hussein?
A:
- Sunni Arabs (20% of the population)

**Flashcard 3**
Q: How did Saddam Hussein treat the Shias in Iraq?
A:
- Murdered thousands of Shias

**Flashcard 4**
Q: What happened in Iraq's elections post-2003?
A:
- Shias won subsequent elections
- Shias ignored Sunni demands to share power

**Flashcard 5**
Q: How did Sunni extremists react to Shia rule post-2003?
A:
- Suicide-bombed Shias

**Flashcard 6**
Q: What is the situation with the Kurds in northern Iraq?
A:
- Kurds (20%) are Sunnis but not Arabs
- Demand a separate state and independence

**Flashcard 7**
Q: What is required for elections to produce democracy?
A:
- Stable countries
- Economic development
- Educational development
- Political development

**Flashcard 8**
Q: What is the political situation of Iraq’s neighbors?
A:
- Most are dictatorships

**Flashcard 9**
Q: What did the USA launch in 2005 regarding democracy?
A:
- Major promotion of democracy in the Middle East

**Flashcard 10**
Q: What was the result of the USA's promotion of democracy in the Middle East?
A:
- Made little progress
- Mostly ended in wars and more chaos

**Flashcard 11**
Q: What challenges make establishing democracy in Iraq difficult?
A:
- Several problems and differing tribal ideologies
- Push for democracy comes from outside (America), not from inside

**Flashcard 12**
Q: Why is the push for democracy in Iraq not effective?
A:
- It comes from external forces (America) rather than internal movements

**Flashcard 13**
Q: What percentage of Iraq's population are Kurds?
A:
- About 20%

**Flashcard 14**
Q: What do Kurds in Iraq demand?
A:
- A separate state and independence

**Flashcard 15**
Q: How does the Shia majority in Iraq impact the political landscape post-2003?
A:
- Shias won elections
- Ignored Sunni demands to share power

**Flashcard 16**
Q: What is a major consequence of ignoring Sunni demands in Iraq?
A:
- Increased suicide bombings by Sunni extremists

**Flashcard 17**
Q: How are Shia Muslims perceived in the Arab world?
A:
- Repressed and suspect minority

**Flashcard 18**
Q: What was a key failure of the USA's 2005 democracy promotion in Iraq?
A:
- Did not account for Iraq’s internal problems and tribal ideologies

**Flashcard 19**
Q: What does democracy require beyond elections?
A:
- Stable countries
- Economic, educational, and political developments

**Flashcard 20**
Q: Why is Iraq a difficult case for establishing democracy?
A:
- Internal problems and differing tribal ideologies
- External push for democracy (America) rather than internal movement