Influences in the Development of Modern Day Iraq Analytical Essay by cee-cee

The author of this paper examines historical, geographical and religious factors that influenced the development of modern day Iraq. The author contends that within the development of the state of Iraq there are two basic themes of historical continuity from ancient times to the present day: (1) creation and construction of the state (2) the process of economic and social development. Within these two themes there is a constant struggle to come together and to divide. The writer further states that Iraq has had a significant historical struggle with unity, as a result of many centuries of social, economic and political dominance of one group over another, be they ancient rulers or modern "secular" leaders. The paper goes on to examine aspects of that "historical struggle".