Thesis privatization. (c2012)

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of privatization in the reformation of the Lebanese confessional and clientelistic system. It provides a detailed assessment of the outcome of privatization reforms and its politics within the public sector. The assessment is completed through a series of case studies, in depth interviews, and expert panels with key stakeholders. The finding sheds light on the different responses by the confessional regime towards privatization drives as reflected by consecutive Lebanese governments. The thesis confirms liberal views that privatization may very well undermine public corruption and political clientelism. It asserts that the downsizing of the public sector away from the confessional domain of influence may very well prepare the ground for state-citizen as an alternative to state-confessional cliental relationship. This hypothesis is further examined through surveying the various political and sectarian affiliations of selected public sector employees in comparison to those employed by privatized initiatives such as OGERO and EDL. This thesis concludes with an assertion of liberal democratic views that suggest that, privatization may very well represent a major reform avenue for state transition toward deconfessionalization and as a means to undermining public clientelism in favor of public citizenship.