The Iraq constitution superficially resembles Japan's (drafted with U.S. influence but approved by a representative body), but it failed because the U.S. played a key role in selecting the representative body and de-Baathification disenfranchised people, undermining legitimacy and contributing to the insurgency, whereas Japan used genuinely pre-existing, broadly legitimate institutions.

causalpending

Speaker

Christopher Coyne

Evidence Quote

now you're telling me I can't be part of the negotiations towards my own future country ... this to a large extent contributed to the insurgency and the suicide bombings

Source

Christopher Coyne on Exporting Democracy after War 04/07/2008EconTalk
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:29:02 AM

My Notes

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