Identity building. (c2010)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study Shiites' rise to power in Lebanon and ensuing evolution of their political identity in a constructivist perspective, assessing the contributions of material and normative structures to identity, and on the role of identity and interests in the rise to power of Shiites. Both primary and secondary sources were utilized to collect data on Shiite identity and rise to power. The primary sources consist of three in-depth interviews with intellectuals, researchers, academics and political figures who have researched the "Shiite issue" in Lebanon. The secondary sources consist of books, journal articles, manuscripts, speeches, documents and statements produced by Amal and Hezbollah. Three combined approaches are used in this study: analyzing the content, historical analysis and comparative analysis. The analysis of the content will occur through the study of the five key documents that would indicate the Shiite rise to power via the Taif agreement and the Doha agreement as well as the evolution of their political identity via the Founding Document of Harakat al Mahrumin, the 1985 Hezbollah Open Letter and the 2009 Hezbollah Political Manifesto. Through using a constructivist approach to analyze the Shiite rise to political power, the research comes to the conclusion that the formation of identity was a primordial driver in the Shiite ascension to the highest echelons of the Lebanese power ladder. Through two main political parties, the Shiite community developed a core identity that explains its vision of the Lebanese state, its role in decision-making process, its relationship with Syria and Iran, and its perception of Jihad against Israel. "Shiite identity" and the institutionalizationof this identity has facilitated Shiite advent to power.