Examining Lebanon’s Susceptibility to Foreign Influence: Institutional Roadblocks to State Stability

• Main Author: Debbas, Malek
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholarship @ Claremont 2017
• Subjects: Lebanon; State Stability; Foreign Influence; Comparative Politics; Economic History; Economic Theory; Finance; Growth and Development; International Relations; Near and Middle Eastern Studies; Political Economy
• Online Access: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/1586; http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2746&context=cmc_theses

Lebanon has historically been at the center of Middle Eastern conflict. Religious diversity and weak institutions have resulted in the country’s continual exploitation by powerful foreign states. At first, a historical overview of Lebanon demonstrates how certain events over the past 200 years have shaped the country. Based on recurring political and economic misfortunes, sectarian tensions within Lebanon have flared since the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. This thesis argues that in order to stabilize the country and prevent the meddling of foreign powers, a focus must be placed on establishing a national identity, strengthening the country’s political institutions, and creating an accountable economic system.