The Role of Citizenship Education in Developing Democracy in Iraq

• Main Author: Beston Husen Arif
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ishik University 2018-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies
• Subjects: Iraq; Citizenship Education; Citizenry; Democracy; Political Participation; Rights and Responsibilities
• Online Access: http://ijsses.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Role-of-Citizenship-Education-in-Developing-Democracy-in-Iraq.pdf

Citizenship education is considered an essential tool for democratic development. This article begins with a reflection of the central problems that are afflicting the democratic process in Iraq, issues such as corruption, civil and ethnic conflict, and populational diversity in Iraqi society. This article argues that by introducing a comprehensive citizenship education program into the school curriculum, it will have a positive effect on both national democratic development and political participation in Iraq. It will also help young learners to recognise their civic rights and responsibilities. The paper also analyses the extent to which citizenship education can play a role in building the Iraqi national identity. This application is not to deny other religious or ethnic identities in Iraq but to encourage them to adhere to civic and national identity. The questions that this article has addressed are the following: What is citizenship education? What is its importance? What are the significant problems facing democracy and citizenship education? And finally, why is citizenship education needed in Iraq?