In a time of great political change and unrest in the Middle East, this highly topical text offers a succinct account of the contemporary political environment in Lebanon. Tom Najem provides both a developed understanding of the pre-civil war system and an analysis of how circumstances resulting from the civil war combined with essential pre-war elements to define politics in Lebanon.
Systematically exploring Lebanon’s history, society and politics, the author stresses the importance of the crucial role of external actors in the Lebanese system. The analysis encompasses:
- the formation of the state
- weaknesses and dynamics of the Lebanese state
- the civil war
- post-war government and change
- the Lebanese economy
- foreign policy.
Written in a clear and accessible manner, this book fills a conspicuous gap in the existing academic literature on Lebanon. It will be of interest not only to students of international politics and Middle East studies, but also to anyone travelling in or wanting to learn more about the region.
Biography
Tom Najem is Associate Professor and the Head of the Department of Political Science, University of Windsor, Canada. He teaches in the areas of International Relations and Comparative Politics (Developing World), with a regional specialization in the Middle East.
"This book makes the complex history and politics of Lebanaon in recent decades beautifully clear. Najemhas a way of summing up the real issues at stake for various actors in a no-nonsense way that is refreshing to read. Najem's book, with its interest in both stateand society, written in a clear and accessible manner, this book fills a conspicuous gap in the existing academic literature in Lebanon. Wonderfully informative for anyone who wants to know how Lebanon's current politics got the way they are" Khalid Abdel-Rahman, Hannover, Rezensionen
"This book will be a welcome addition to the library of any student of the Middle East, and a must-read for those interested in post-civil-war Lebanon." David D. Grafton, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, PA, USA
