The College of Education Ibn Rushd for Humanities at the University of Baghdad discussed a master’s thesis entitled “The Iraqi Communist Party: Its Political Role and Cultural Activity in Iraq (2003–2020).” The thesis was submitted by Jalal Muzaffar Shakir from the Department of History, specializing in Modern and Contemporary History.
The thesis defense committee was chaired by Prof. Dr. Alaa Hamza Shanawa, with Prof. Dr. Ali Mohammed Karim Al-Mashhadani as a member and supervisor, and Assistant Prof. Dr. Alaa Jaber Musa as a member. Assistant Prof. Dr. Hussein Jaber Abdullah from the College of Education for Humanities, University of Diyala, joined the committee as an external member.
The study aimed to examine and analyze the political role and cultural activity of the Iraqi Communist Party in Iraq during the period from 2003 to 2020. It traced the party’s positions on the political transformations that followed 2003, its participation in the political process, state institutions, and the constitutional process, as well as its position on the political quota system, alliances, and popular protests. The study also examined its intellectual, cultural, and media activities and its ability to adapt to emerging political changes while maintaining its presence and influence in Iraqi political and cultural life.
The study concluded that the Iraqi Communist Party maintained its political presence after 2003 through participation in the political process and state institutions, despite its opposition to the occupation and foreign military presence. Its participation in the Governing Council and the constitutional process reflected an approach focused on reform from within the political system. However, the political quota system limited its ability to achieve its vision of building a civil democratic state based on citizenship and the rule of law.
