Journal Article

Institutional Capacity Building and Legal Reform in Iraq: Toward Innovation and Public Administration Modernization

Hendrix, Steven E.

2013

Overview

Iraq is often cited as a test case as to whether “nation-building” can work. Since 2003, the U.S. government has been advancing institutional capacity development with Iraq’s national government. Now 10 years later, it is clear that the program, the largest such as U.S. government program since the Vietnam War, has been a success. Tangible durable institutional reforms are now in place to professionalize the civil service, improve electricity production, make public procurement more transparent and efficient, and upgrade budget formulation and execution. The program, known locally as USAID/Tatweer, worked across executive branch agencies, to improve government performance and expand institutional capacity development. Its accomplishments, so far almost entirely unrecognized by the media, will continue to advance democratic change in Iraq for generations to come.

• Publisher: De Gruyter,Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subject: Capacity building approach / Capacity development / Central government / Civil service / Democracy / Democratization / Developing countries / Diplomacy / Economic development / Electric power / Electric power generation / Electricity / Executives / Foreign policy / Government agencies / Government procurement / Government programs / Government purchasing / Governmental reform / Innovations / Institution building / institutional reform / Iraq / Iraq War-2003 / LDCs / Legal reform / Mass media / Military withdrawals / Modernization / Nation building / National security / Political behavior / Political development / Production / Public administration / Public buildings / Public sector / Purchasing / Reforms / Social responsibility / State formation / Studies / Success / United States International development agency / USAID / Vietnam / Vietnam War / War / World War II