Gareth R. V. Stansfield is Research Fellow of Political Development at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. He has spent three years in Iraqi Kurdistan working alongside the Kurdistan Regional Government, the KDP and the PUK.

'This in-depth study of political development in Iraqi Kurdistan is unique. There is no other work which provides a similar understanding of how the Kurdish political scene emerged, and especially how it has operated in the years of instability since 1991. It should be required reading for anyone interested in contemporary Iraq.' - Tim Niblock, Director of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter.'This is a realistic and lucid account of the unusual situation of the Kurds of Iraq during the past decade or so. It sets their parties and politics in a properly balanced and authoritative account of their recent history. More than that, it also contains valuable insights into possible future developments in this key strategic region of Iraq.' - Charles Tripp, Reader in the Department of Political Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

• 1. Introduction 2. Theory and Methodology 3. Contextual Analysis 4. The Development of the Party Political System 5. The Organizational Structure and Decision-Making Processes of the Kurdish Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 6. The Organizational Structure of the Kurdistan Regional Government(s) 7. The Kurdistan Regional Government, 1992-2002 8. Conclusion

Gareth R. V. Stansfield is Research Fellow of Political Development at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. He has spent three years in Iraqi Kurdistan working alongside the Kurdistan Regional Government, the KDP and the PUK.

'This in-depth study of political development in Iraqi Kurdistan is unique. There is no other work which provides a similar understanding of how the Kurdish political scene emerged, and especially how it has operated in the years of instability since 1991. It should be required reading for anyone interested in contemporary Iraq.' - Tim Niblock, Director of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter.'This is a realistic and lucid account of the unusual situation of the Kurds of Iraq during the past decade or so. It sets their parties and politics in a properly balanced and authoritative account of their recent history. More than that, it also contains valuable insights into possible future developments in this key strategic region of Iraq.' - Charles Tripp, Reader in the Department of Political Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

• 1. Introduction 2. Theory and Methodology 3. Contextual Analysis 4. The Development of the Party Political System 5. The Organizational Structure and Decision-Making Processes of the Kurdish Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 6. The Organizational Structure of the Kurdistan Regional Government(s) 7. The Kurdistan Regional Government, 1992-2002 8. Conclusion

Gareth R. V. Stansfield is Research Fellow of Political Development at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. He has spent three years in Iraqi Kurdistan working alongside the Kurdistan Regional Government, the KDP and the PUK.

'This in-depth study of political development in Iraqi Kurdistan is unique. There is no other work which provides a similar understanding of how the Kurdish political scene emerged, and especially how it has operated in the years of instability since 1991. It should be required reading for anyone interested in contemporary Iraq.' - Tim Niblock, Director of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter.'This is a realistic and lucid account of the unusual situation of the Kurds of Iraq during the past decade or so. It sets their parties and politics in a properly balanced and authoritative account of their recent history. More than that, it also contains valuable insights into possible future developments in this key strategic region of Iraq.' - Charles Tripp, Reader in the Department of Political Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

• 1. Introduction 2. Theory and Methodology 3. Contextual Analysis 4. The Development of the Party Political System 5. The Organizational Structure and Decision-Making Processes of the Kurdish Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 6. The Organizational Structure of the Kurdistan Regional Government(s) 7. The Kurdistan Regional Government, 1992-2002 8. Conclusion