More than one hundred political parties have been established in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Some call themselves "movements," "associations," or "fronts," and they are dedicated variously to democracy, human rights, Islamic values, constitutionalism, federalism, national unity, and ethnic or tribal identity.

World Public Opinion conducted a global poll on citizen attitudes toward democracy, which found widespread support for democratic principles. Clear majorities in all countries and 84 percent of respondents overall endorse elections as the preferred means to select leaders.