Psychology of the abused.
You have described it as a civic phenomenon.
We are more acquainted with it as a widespread individual pathology, but the pattern appears to be very similar.
An Iraqi to talk to would be helpful, for the cultural perspective, but so would extensive reading on case studies of people who have been in domestic or work relationships in which they were abused and isolated.
When we all think about it, is anyone really surprised that a nation that suffered for so long under a secular dictatorship would choose a theocratic autocracy to replace it? If someone beats you, to trade them for someone who only tells you what to do every moment of the day seems a blessed relief. If control is what you know, freedom looks like anarchy.