The Execution of Saddam Hussein

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Saddam Hussein's execution served a central purpose in promoting propaganda to generate and maintain support for the war. The paper explains the value of the illusion created that democracy was budding in Iraq with the elimination of the ultimate icon of tyranny. The paper points out, however, the irony in the barbaric execution of Saddam Hussein being a turning point for establishing democracy in Iraq.

From the Paper:

"The execution of Saddam Hussein has been widely heralded as a turning point in the war in Iraq, if not the central point at which democracy might be established. Gruesome images and videos of the public hanging stirred the Iraqi public and shocked viewers and readers around the world. Most of the mainstream media from Great Britain and the United States, the two nations most heavily vested in establishing pro-Western democratic governments in Iraq, presented the event as a major victory. Like killing the bad guy in an action flick, executing Saddam Hussein was depicted as the fulfillment of a central goal of the war. Therefore, the execution served a central purpose in promoting propaganda: in generating and maintaining support for the war."

Sample of Sources Used:

• vBurns, J.F. & Santora, M. (2006). The execution of Saddam Hussein: Iraqi leaders say hanging is turning point for nation. San Francisco Chronicle. Dec 31, 2006. Retrieved Jun 11, 2008 from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/31/MNG2ONAPS91.DTL
• Chideya, F. (2007). Roundtable: Saddam Hussein's Execution, Confederate Statues. NPR. Audio retrieved Jun 11, 2008 from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6710001
• Davis, E. (2005). Strategies for Promoting Democracy in Iraq. United States Institute of Peace. Oct 2005. Retrieved Jun 11, 2008 from http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr153.html
• Gerecht, R.M. (2007). On Democracy in Iraq: It's starting to take root. The Weekly Standard. Apr 30, 2007. Retrieved Jun 11, 2008 from http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/552qsjit.asp
• Husayn. Democracy in Iraq (Is Here!). Blog. Retrieved Jun 11, 2008 from http://democracyiniraq.blogspot.com/

More papers on The Execution of Saddam Hussein:

• Term Paper # 91452 : "Death Penalty - The Execution of Saddam Hussein"
• Research Paper # 91450 : "The Hanging of Saddam Hussein"
• Analytical Essay # 22535 : "Military Commanders"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: