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In Slate, David Plotz offers seven guidelines for building democracy in Iraq. Cynics will enjoy #4, "Horizontal Accountability" (aka "checks and balances"):

Journal of Democracy editor Marc Plattner, one of the leaders in this field, says that in addition to an independent judiciary — the top of any list — two sorts of institutions are proving particularly effective. Independent electoral commissions set election rules, monitor fraud, and give new parties a chance to compete fairly. Mexico’s commission, says Plattner, was essential in that nation’s recent transition to genuine multiparty democracy. In Thailand and elsewhere, independent anti-corruption commissions publicize and punish graft, bribery, and other sleaziness by elected officials. In nations where leaders have traditionally raided the state without consequence, such commissions restore faith in government. They also teach elected officials that their job is public service, not profiteering.

But the article should be interesting to non-cynics too.