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Independent Lebanon

Independent Lebanon. The Jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean. Prosperity of Beirut based on upheavals in Arab world in the 1950s Laissez-faire economic system International banking center Trade restrictions removed Financial and commercial center Politically liberal

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Independent Lebanon

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  1. Independent Lebanon

  2. The Jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean • Prosperity of Beirut based on upheavals in Arab world in the 1950s • Laissez-faire economic system • International banking center • Trade restrictions removed • Financial and commercial center • Politically liberal • Home for political exiles • Haven of free expression • Center of intellectual exchange and political discussion • “Playground” in the Middle East

  3. Sectarian harmony? • Sectarian pluralism “worked” in Beirut • Confessional politics – system based on a balance of sectarian rivalries • Arab state, but could not be merged with another Arab state  ambiguous position towards pan-Arabism (<-> Nasser) • Communal differences neutralized, not solved • Family/religious ties stronger than national ties

  4. Patron-client system • Politics dominated by prominent families • Za’im; “feudal lord dressed in tailored European suit” – primary responsibility to provide for his clients  enforced regional/sectarian interests • Gave rise to sectarian based blocs instead of ideological parties • Examples: Kataib/Phalange and the Progressive Socialist Party

  5. Sunni discontent • Fragmented Sunni Muslim organizations • Many attracted to Nasser’s Pan-Arabism

  6. Role of the president • National Pact of 1943: President had to be a Maronite Christian • The Constitution of 1926 gave the president strong powers (relative to parliament) • Six-year terms – challenged by two first presidents • Al-Khuri 1943-1952 • Chamoun 1952-1958

  7. Troubles in the ’50s • Cold War rivalry • Rise of Nasser • Muslim demands for reform • Big question: Pan-Arabism or closer ties to the West? • Chamoun decided not to join the Baghdad Pact (as an Arab state) but emphasized close friendship with the West • Suez Crisis: Chamoun kept diplomatic ties w/GB and France  Nasser annoyed

  8. Summer of 1958 • Chamoun wanted to stay in power  unacceptable to Muslims  full-scale rebellion/civil war • General FuadShihab refused to send in the army to quell the revolt • Coup d’etat in Iraq  Chamoun requested US assistance to avoid same fate • 15.000 US Marines landed in Lebanon the next day! • US intent on helping the friendly regime in Lebanon • Chamoun stepped down  FuadShihab president  return to normalcy

  9. Shihabism • Program of political and social reform • Goal: Modernization of the state • More power to the central government • Basic welfare system • Public work projects; roads, electricity, water supply • More Muslims in top administrative positions  a stake in the country • Did not end sectarian politics • Break-up of UAR eased tension over Pan-Arabism • Muslim businessmen skeptical to Nasser’s “Arab socialism”

  10. Contradictions Policies Results The gap between rich and poor was not reduced Larger state  larger bureaucracy Fairer distribution of positions enforced sectarian system Sunnis and Christians remained dominant in bureaucracy Role of state more prominent  complaints increased about power distribution • Arab relations improved without affecting Lebanese independence • State redistribution of wealth • Poorer areas of the country developed • More fair distribution of posts among disadvantaged communities

  11. No changes? • Shihab relied on the old notables for his government despite pledge to reduce their importance • Notable dominance: • 1947-1972: 1/3 of all parliamentary seats split between 26 families • 1960: 1/4 of MPs elected inherited their seats • Ministerial positions filled with familiar leaders

  12. No support for the system • Presidency became more powerful under Shihab • Relied on presidential office (Sarkis) and the Deuxieme Bureau (army intelligence dept.) to keep control • Army unchanged • No strong political party developed by Shihab; relied on Rashid al-Karame to muster parliamentary support  Limited powerbase for the president; his successor relied on Deuxieme Bureau and Prime Ministers’ parliamentary coalitions

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