TelePolis writes about the constitution in Iraq and interprets it as Shia and Kurds getting a hold on the oil fields, leaving Sunnis in the middle bereft of the resources they have enjoyed up to now. And it seems that the US is supporting this. ¹
It just doesn’t match at all what Riverbend and Faiza have been saying in the past: That ethnic and religious rivalries were never strong in Iraq. Was it wishful thinking? Or has the war and the occupation prepared the grounds for these simplistic solutions? Or is oil and money corrupting people?
I’m not opposed to federalism – after all Switzerland shows that it can be done – but just as clearly the so-called “Finanzausgleich” (perequation/financial compesation) behind the scenes is a delicate subject in internal politics. If some of the cantons had oil and others had not, I’m sure this would make it even more difficult. As it is, some cantons have the banks (eg. Zürich), some cantons have the pharmaceutical industry (eg. Basel Stadt), some have international politics (eg. Geneva), some have agriculture (eg. Aargau), and most of the others are in trouble. :__
So before being able to say anything about federalism, the exact politics and financial tools have to be discussed as well.
As for the use of religion, my position is clear: I’m an adherent of a secular state.
#Iraq