Youth and Iraqi Political Parties After 2003

Abstract

Youth are considered the backbone of every society, and the strength of nations is measured by the number of their youth, provided this pivotal segment is given its true role in contributing to construction, thinking, and leadership. Otherwise, what is the point of underdeveloped countries being those with a youth-dominated population, but relying for everything on countries with elderly societies? What is the point, either, if this segment becomes afflicted with laziness and inactivity, waiting for the sympathy and charity of other groups? Indeed, true youth are the ones who create opportunities and impose themselves on the rest of society through force. Force here does not necessarily mean violence and physical force, but rather the power of labor, production, and the struggle for a dignified life. As far as Iraq is concerned, its youth have had an honorable history in all fields. However, dictatorial regimes diverted the energy of their youth, instead of building, reconstruction, and creativity, to fuel wars and confront and challenge the world. They did not realize that this would dissipate the country's energies and undermine it in the face of the magnitude of the challenges. So, what happened? After 2003, the flame of Iraq's youth faded, and they were preoccupied with side activities that wasted their energy, talents, and creative abilities. While all energies were supposed to be directed toward construction, development, reconstruction, science, and knowledge, they were instead emptied into wars and sectarian and ethnic strife. This segment of Iraqi society was exploited to implement regional and international agendas. Young Iraqis began killing their brothers in the name of upholding their sect and defending their history. As for their participation in politics, or rather in Iraqi political parties, it is no different from their participation in other aspects of life in the country. They are marginalized and depressed, searching for work opportunities to no avail. Bad habits, such as drugs and moral corruption, have spread among them.