Lebanese History
What years did the Lebanese Civil War occur?
What is 1975-1990
What is the name of Lebanon’s system that divides power among religions?
Confessionalism
Which three countries have had the most influence over Lebanon’s conflicts?
Syria, Iran, and Israel
Who developed the "Clash of Civilizations" theory?
Samuel P. Huntington
What is one primary obstacle preventing Lebanon from achieving institutional reform?
Entrenched sectarian elites who resist power redistribution
Which country occupied Lebanon from 1976 to 2005?
Syria
Name two major sects represented in Lebanon’s political system.
Maronite Christians and Sunni Muslims (others acceptable)
What foreign power supports Hezbollah militarily and financially?
Iran
According to Huntington, what defines a civilization?
Shared religion, language, history, and culture
What role can the Lebanese diaspora play in political reform?
Providing financial independence and advocating for transparency
What 1982 event led to the rise of Hezbollah?
Israeli Invasion
What negative effect does confessionalism have on governance?
It institutionalizes division and weakens national unity
Which Western nations primarily support Lebanon’s state institutions and Israel?
United States and France
What does Huntington identify as the main source of post–Cold War conflict?
Cultural and religious identity
Why is decentralization proposed as a reform measure in Lebanon?
It can reduce sectarian dominance by empowering local governance
In which year did the Lebanon–Israel War strengthen Hezbollah’s legitimacy?
2006
Exchange of political loyalty for benefits or patronage
What term was used to describe Lebanon's role in broader regional conflicts?
Proxy Battlefield
What is a “civilizational fault line”?
A geographic or social boundary between differing civilizations
What international mechanism could support Lebanese institutional reform while respecting sovereignty?
UN-backed governance initiatives or IMF-linked anti-corruption programs
What were the two main causes of the Lebanese Civil War?
Sectarian and political divisions within the confessional system
Which group blurs the line between state and militia power?
Hezbollah
How did the Syrian occupation shape Lebanon’s sovereignty?
It limited independence and integrated Lebanon into Syrian control
How does Lebanon illustrate Huntington’s theory?
It lies at the intersection of Western and Islamic civilizations, with internal sectarian divides reflecting larger global tensions
According to the lecture, what type of reform must precede political stability?
Structural reform addressing corruption, militia autonomy, and clientelism