National News, Analyses & Opinions
Multiculturalism in Lebanon - The Sectarian Cleavage at the center of the Lebanese Political Distress
Opinion policy analysis by Anthony Ahrend, Featured Writer
On September 16th, 2012, Pope Benedikt XVI praised Lebanon upon his visit there for its 18 different sects that all live together within the same territory. Yet, do they really? Little did he know, that is not the case. With that being said, what are some of the consequences of this sectarian break- up? It is important to take a look at the political participation in Lebanon and explain why the “Thawra” was unsuccessful.
Gerrymandering Electoral Districts - A Brief History of Redistricting in Lebanon, and its influential Role in the Electoral Process
Opinion Policy Analysis by Nicole Nicolas, Visiting Contributor
Like most other nations of the modern world, Lebanon has played host to countless, and very elaborate, forms of gerrymandering. Lebanon’s electoral districts have been drawn and redrawn several times since the country’s inception. In a sectarian power sharing system dating back to 1943, Lebanon’s sectarian leaders have always agreed to draw district lines together, each side going for a bigger piece of the pie. With a few seasonal disputes here and there, an arrangement is always reached, “No winners and no losers”, according to the late Prime Minister Saeb Salam - a principle that defines Lebanon’s political structure to this very day. The result of such agreements means that election results are almost always determined before elections even take place.
Despised Belonging – Defining Political Brainwashing
Opinion piece by Gaelle Nohra, Staff Writer
Beyond compare, the uprisings incentivized the Lebanese community to become both more informed and involved about the happenings taking place within their territory’s border while simultaneously proving that the way out of the turmoil lies exclusively in the hands of a brand new political order. That said, it also contributed to the normalization of despise directed towards individuals having affiliation towards ruling parties.
Lebanon 2022 elections: how to prepare? - A guide to having fruitful elections as a first step towards recovery
Analysis by Zeina Dagher, Staff Writer
Today more than ever, it’s hard to imagine that a poor Lebanese citizen, who can barely afford food on the table, will show interest in or have time to read academic articles pinpointing the alleged “root of the problem”. Nor will this citizen be able to resist a $20 bill bribe in exchange for a vote. He or she may not even show interest in voting, politics being a remote concern compared to bodily needs like food and rest. But Lebanon can’t afford another failed election. So the question is: how do we ensure the best voting conditions to be able to elect a truly reformed parliament? How do we make sure that the horrible experience of the 2018 elections doesn’t happen again? And what is our role and the civil society’s in paving the way for these successful elections?