Administrative Challenges and Legal Reforms in Arab Systems: A Comparative Study of Iraq and Egypt

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the administrative challenges facing public administration in both Iraq and Egypt, focusing on their impact on ensuring citizens' rights and enhancing the effectiveness of the administrative system. The study revealed that Iraq suffers from a severe shortage of qualified human resources, financial, and technical resources, in addition to a weak organizational structure and widespread political quotas and administrative corruption. These negatively impact the efficiency of public institutions in meeting citizens' administrative demands. It also indicated that the unstable political and security environment directly impacts the performance of the administrative apparatus and weakens its ability to develop and reform.

Conversely, the study revealed that the administrative system in Egypt faces another challenge: institutional corruption and excessive bureaucracy. Bribery, favoritism, and abuse of power are evident in many sectors. However, the Egyptian government has embarked on structural and legislative reforms to enhance transparency and accountability by launching the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, activating the government complaints portal, and adopting digital transformation as a means of reducing opportunities for corruption. The chapter concludes that administrative and legal reform represents a fundamental pillar for achieving good governance, and that updating and unifying administrative legislation, in addition to promoting a culture of integrity and transparency, are the best path to restoring citizens' confidence in public administration in both Iraq and Egypt.