Expressions like “the ethics of political work” elicit scorn and mockery in Iraq. These come not only from average citizens who have experienced a painful past and are still going through a harrowing present in their relationship with politics, leading them to see politics as anything but ethical, but also from politicians themselves. A wide spectrum of the Iraqi political class views politics as a way for leaders to rid themselves of obligations, break promises and manipulate and falsify facts for their own gain.

This article does not aim to study the historical roots of the concept of politics, nor the services the field offers or breakthroughs it achieves in organizing society, expressing its will, solving its problems and internal crises or protecting humanity from extermination in continuous wars.

Rather, what is offered here is a partial understanding of politics in Iraq in terms of conspiracy, plotting and taking advantage of conditions to oust and weaken other parties.

Justifying the hostility of Iraqi political powers — whether between the major parties or within the same party — is the long history of hardships and challenges these parties have faced. More than 10 years following the regime change in Baghdad, these past difficulties have yet to allow the parties to establish political and organizational groundwork based on principles, obligations and commitments.