Sectarianism, centralized political system, and the failure of the state. (c2016)

Abstract

This thesis had demonstrated that sectarian affiliations are of a primordial nature and continue to determine how the Lebanese interact politically and socially with each other. Nevertheless, it argued that they should not be held responsible for inter-sectarian conflicts that have been taking place in Lebanon since the 1950s. This thesis demonstrated that the real cause behind these inter sectarian conflicts lies in the adoption of a consociational and highly centralized political system. The inability of the Lebanese political system to function properly did not assist in making the Lebanese sects coexist together peacefully. It even intensified inter-sectarian tensions, fear and lack of trust. Its failures had encouraged factions and groups within each sect to continuously attempt to impose, through illegitimate means and foreign support, their de facto rule of law over geographical locations where the majority of the population shared with them the same sectarian affiliation. This thesis concludes by proposing the replacement of consociationalism and centralization with a federal system.