Rend Rahim Franke

Rend Rahim Franke is executive director of the Iraq Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works for democracy and human rights in Iraq. The following viewpoint is drawn from remarks that she delivered at a January 2003 forum about the future of Iraq after Saddam Hussein is removed (the Iraqi dictator was deposed a few months later by a U.S. led military coalition). Franke contends that Iraqi opposition groups are united in their support of democracy and that Iraqi society contains many elements favorable to creating democracy, including an urbanized and highly educated populace. Franke concludes by calling for the United States to take an active role in nurturing Iraqi democracy.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What “canard” about democracy does Franke criticize as being racist?
2. What elements...