Democracy in Lebanon - Abbas Assi

The 'Cedar Revolution' in Lebanon, which was sparked by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri on 14 February 2005, was seen by many as an opportunity for Lebanon's fragile political system to move towards a more stable form of democracy. But contrary to these expectations, in the years since Syrian military withdrawal in April 2005, Lebanon has been plagued with sectarian and political unrest and conflict. Abbas Assi here explores the obstacles that impeded the democratic transition process and how subsequent events since 2005 have bolstered this trend. By looking at these, Assi examines how the intersection of the influence of external factors and powers with domestic conflicts has shaped the behaviour of political parties and has had implications on their ability to reach compromises and initiate democratic reforms. This book is a vital reference for those studying politics of Lebanon and the Middle East more broadly.'brings the reader up to date on the major developments in Lebanese politics in the past decade.' Melani Cammett, Professor of Government, Harvard University'This is a book like no other filling a huge gap in the literature on Lebanon. It is a solid and enjoyable read, providing an in-depth examination of Lebanon's polity. It will be invaluable for students of Middle East politics, democratisation, and comparative politics.' - Larbi Sadiki, Professor of International Relations, Qatar University