Assessment of the Impact of the Principles of the State of Emergency Doctrine on the Cycle of Governance Inefficiency in Iraq: Barriers to Rebuilding Public Trust and the Role of Institutional Reforms
Keywords:
state of emergency, governance inefficiency, public trust, institutional reforms, political legitimacyAbstract
Iraq, as a country that has faced severe governance challenges in the aftermath of military invasion and widespread security crises, represents a unique case for examining the impact of emergency policies on the governing system and public trust. The Iraqi government, through the repeated use of emergency instruments such as declaring martial law, restricting civil liberties, and strengthening the control of security institutions, has sought to manage security and economic problems. However, due to weaknesses in transparency, insufficient oversight, and mismanagement, these measures have not only failed to improve conditions but have also intensified the cycle of institutional inefficiency and further eroded the legitimacy of governance. In this study, the researcher, employing a descriptive-analytical method and based on the framework of the state of emergency doctrine, argues that excessive reliance on emergency tools without long-term planning for strengthening civil institutions and structural reforms deepens the gap between the state and citizens and reduces public trust. The governance inefficiency crisis in Iraq arises from a vicious cycle in which emergency conditions combine with institutional weakness, and the government’s inability to provide essential services and respond to the needs of the people undermines its legitimacy. Rebuilding public trust in Iraq requires the implementation of institutional reforms, the strengthening of civil oversight, transparency in the use of emergency instruments, and the establishment of a foundation for citizen participation in decision-making. These measures can contribute to the process of restoring legitimacy and transitioning from emergency conditions to sustainable governance.
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