The importance of revolutions: the case of Lebanon in the 2019 October Revolution

Abstract

Due to corruption, sectarianism, state negligence, lack of basic public services, lack of transparency and accountability, economic collapse, and many other issues that increased the discontent of the population daily, Lebanese citizens decided to revolt against the current corrupt political system on October 17th, 2019. During the revolution, protestors wanted to remove all political leaders, overthrow the system, and change the regime entirely. However, post-revolution, the protestors' demands were not achieved, and the government was not overthrown. The literature tackles the failure of the revolution without mentioning the positive changes that did happen, even if the revolution was not successful. This senior study will tackle the following research question: Why was the 2019 Lebanese October Revolution important to happen, despite its failure? This Senior Study will aim to provide answers to this case study by indicating the positive outcomes of the revolution, which are completely neglected because of the overall failure of overthrowing the system. These positive changes would not have happened without the eruption of the revolution, which explains its importance, despite its failure.