Lebanon’s versatile nationalism

Abstract

The paper tackles the different interpretations of Lebanon's multi-faceted nationalism in a theoretical perspective, then analyses the dynamics of the emergent Lebanese national ethos after the 2005 Independence Intifada. After outlining the most important characteristics of post-war Lebanon, it decodes the meaning and implications of cross-cutting links fostered by the 2005 uprising. Then, it draws attention to the fact that despite the presence of inter-communal bonds, the small republic remains prisoner to contradictory concepts of national affiliation, which thwart intercommunal entente and elite coalescence, two prerequisites for a sustainable power-sharing model in an unstable environment. In the conclusion, the paper suggests that an acceptance of Lebanon’s contesting identities rather than a forceful homogenisation of various affiliations might pave the way for a balanced nationalism.