Will Lebanon transit to a fully- fledged Democracy? Economic and Political Perspectives

Institute of Financial Economics and the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs Cordially held a panel discussion on Will Lebanon transit to a fully- fledged Democracy? Economic and Political Perspectives with Samir Makdisi, George Corm, Fadia Kiwan and Youssef El-Khalil 

The rationale for Lebanon's sectarian consociational model adopted on the eve of independence was that in heterogeneous societies such as Lebanon's, it tended to promote stability and democracy. In practice, Lebanon's political model did allow for a significant space of freedom and plural political activity which, until the recent Arab uprisings, set apart Lebanon's political system from the autocratic regimes that characterized the Arab world. On the other hand it also led to unequal political rights among citizens, a weak central authority, weak political institutions and poor governance. Lebanon's political system did not prevent the onset of a long lasting civil war, whatever its underlying causes, or subsequently assure domestic political stability. 

The ongoing developments in the Arab world will test the resiliency of Lebanese consociationalism, presenting both clear threats to it as well as opportunities for the country's democratic advancement. A major aim of this panel is to analyze Lebanon's post- independence politico/economic developments and, with the back drop of the recent Arab uprisings, to evaluate whether and how Lebanon can move forward towards a mature democracy that recognizes equal political and civil rights for citizens and promotes accountable institutions which aim to advance the public good. 

Samir Makdisi, American University of Beirut
George Corm, University of St.Joseph 
Fadia Kiwan, University of St.Joseph 
Youssef El Khalil, Bank of Lebanon and American University of Beirut

February Peace