This piece by David Plotz is about how to establish a liberal democracy in Iraq. It lists the following tipss:

1. Delay it. (Don't rush elections.)

2. Establish rule of law and an independent judiciary before elections.

3. Horizontal accountability. (I think this means checks and balances.)

4. Reverse the diaspora. (i.e. the brain drain)

5. Use new technology and media to instill the habits of democracy. (Most people don't learn the Declaration of Independence in their childhoods like we do.)

6. Let the United Nations organize the political process.

7. When you finally do hold elections, bring in international observers. (Jimmy Carter?)

Interesting, but I can't buy into No. 6. The U.N. is more an example of how to waste other people's money.

Update: Shiite clerics are already trying to grab power. Here's another piece explaining what would be wrong with using a coalition or the U.N. to build a new Iraqi nation.