The Breakdown of the State in Lebanon, 1967-1976

by Farid El Khazen

Straddling the boundaries of politics and history, this discerning book allows the reader to dig through the rubble of Lebanon's wars and learn exactly what has befallen it. With its remarkable open society, its plural political system, its well-educated and sophisticated peoples, and its tolerant confessional outlook, Lebanon is only now recovering the independence it once had, albeit in the face of Syria. In view of recent Lebanese history, can an open and democratic state be recaptured by a people entangled in a largely authoritarian Arab state system?

Farid el Khazen's arresting book shows how Lebanon was led toward its fate by its neighbors, yet ultimately undid itself. The Palestine Liberation Organization's presence was of central importance to the breakdown of the state, while the porousness of the democratic system could not contain the problems and violence. The breakdown was less a civil war in the conventional sense than a series of little wars with outside interference.

Genres: Lebanon, History, Nonfiction, Middle East

Hardcover

First published April 14, 2000

Reviews

[Becharachemaly1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

lebanese war is a big game of the states

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Very detailed study of the events that lead to the disintegration of the Lebanese state. I liked how the author mirrored the Lebanese insurgency crisis of 1969 and 1973 to the Jordanian one (1970-1971), and how the Jordanian army "survived" it while the Lebanese army couldn't leading to the Cairo Agreement (also very detailed explanation) and the Melkart Protocols.

[hélène]

the lebanese civil war was composed of over 25 main belligerents. that's at least 25 words of the essay sorted. the essay is 1800 words. 1% of the essay done. i'm ok.

[Philip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor writing and superficial judgements.