Red Star Over Iraq: Iraqi Communism Before Saddam

Franzen, Johan (2011) Red Star Over Iraq: Iraqi Communism Before Saddam. C. Hurst & Co., London. ISBN 1849041016

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Recent outbursts of sectarian and ethnic violence in Iraq have made many observers question the viability of the state itself. It is said that due to the artificiality of the state and a lack of deep-seated political institutions, Iraqi politics is doomed to endlessly revert back to primordialism. Political parties are mere facades for the real intention of pursuing ethno-sectarian interests, the argument goes. But the present situation has largely been caused by Saddam Hussein's infamous rule over the past three decades, combined with the plight of international sanctions. Before Saddam's ascent to power in the late 1970s, however, the Iraqi political spectrum was full of political parties operating from ideological platforms. The largest, and arguably most important of these groups, was the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP). The ICP stands out as the only true cross-sectarian party in Iraqi history, drawing support from all of Iraq's diverse communities. From its inception in 1934, it continuously fought the various regimes in power and endeavoured to spread communist ideology throughout Iraq. At times the party achieved considerable success in this regard, although ultimately never able to seize power. Red Star over Iraq analyses the twists and turns of the ICP from its inception until its ultimate demise as a significant political force at the hands of Saddam in 1979.

Item Type:	Book
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 16 - peace, justice and strong institutions ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/peace_justice_and_strong_institutions
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > School of Political, Social and International Studies (former - to 2014)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Political, Social and International Studies Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Global & Transnational History
Depositing User:	Johan Franzen
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2011 08:48
Last Modified:	21 Jul 2023 09:10
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/34655
DOI:

Available Versions of this Item

• Red Star Over Iraq: Iraqi Communism Before Saddam. (deposited 14 Sep 2011 08:48) [Currently Displayed]
  • Red Star Over Iraq: Iraqi Communism Before Saddam. (deposited 14 Sep 2011 08:48)

Actions (login required)

View Item