한국외대

A Study on the Relations between Iraq Military Elite

and Tribalism

- On Tribal Base of Military Elite in Saddam Era -

Jung, Sang-Ryul

(HUFS)

Tribes and tribalism of Middle East are becoming new research area andissue area because of role enlargement of major tribes in the Middle EasternStates. Tribe and tribalism in the Middle East has been an historical entityand core of political, economic, and cultural action norm for a long time.

Before Saddam regime, Iraqi military elite has become an axis of powerelite because of frequent military coup and war. In fact, as soon as it cameto power in July 1968, the Bath Party announced its rejection of 'tribalism' inits Communique No.1. "We are against religious sectarianism, racism, andtribalism." In later years, tribal shaikhs and tribalism have been regarded asthe epitome of backwardness and social reaction in official party ideology.This policy to the tribalism has been continued in Saddam era since 1987.But anti-tribalism policy was changed in the late 1980s or in the early1990s. The reason was that because Saddam's regime faced in crisis oflegitimacy not only in Arab society but also from outside world.

Saddam has recruited members of his tribal and clan, Albu Nasir tribal andBeijat clan, as major member of military and information services. He hasmade Iraq tribal state through the 'state-ization' of the tribe and thetribalization of the state, and through the militarization of his tribe andtribalization of military. In post-Saddam era, too, tribalism will be the majorfactor and variable in Iraqi political, social change.

논문접수일* : 년 월 일2009 01 21

심사완료일* : 년 월 일2009 02 09

게재확정일* : 년 월 일2009 02 18