"As I understand it, the Ba'ath party became increasingly corrupt and lost its roots among the people, so it became increasingly difficult to maintain order and even a trace of legitimacy (except among the most corrupt elements)"
That 'most corrupt element' was no doubt the 'middle class' of Iraqi society, as extrapolated by the fact that the middle class as a social unit in any society is HIGHLY UNLIKELY to cause any disruption of 'order'. On Nov 19, 2007 6:36 AM, Jim Devine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > from SLATE's news summary: >The New York Times leads with word that > the U.S. military is currently considering a classified proposal that > would increase the role of Pakistan's tribal leaders in the fight > against al-Qaida and the Taliban. Inspired by what is largely seen as > a successful strategy in Iraq's Anbar province, the U.S. military > would enlist the help of locals where the Pakistani army has failed to > put a stop to the growing presence of extremist groups.< > > it's interesting that this was also Saddam Hussein's strategy in his > later years. As I understand it, the Ba'ath party became increasingly > corrupt and lost its roots among the people, so it became increasingly > difficult to maintain order and even a trace of legitimacy (except > among the most corrupt elements). In response, he relied more and more > on tribal leaders. (I'd bet that they were corrupted by the process, > but I don't know.) Also, Islam played a larger and larger role, > getting away from the Ba'ath party's secularism. > > -- > Jim Devine / "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own > way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante. >
