Review (PDF) The Breakdown Of The State In Lebanon, 1967-1976
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.
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Harvard University Press (April 14, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0674081056
ISBN-13: 978-0674081055
Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,052,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #177 in Books > History > Middle East > Lebanon #645 in Books > History > World > Religious > Ethnic & Tribal #1928 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Middle East
This book by Professor Farid Khazen is a good read and is well-researched. However, it is an attempt to articulate in academic mantle the Right Wing view in the Lebanon War that the Palestinians were largely responsible for the decay of the Lebanese state, supported by radical Arab states and the Soviet Union. Prof Khazen moves then to a meticulous refutation of Lefitst views of the war, denying that sectarian divisions led to the war or that there were legitimate social and economic grievances among the Lebanese (as the leftists were syaing). Despite the length of Prof Khazen's book, I don't find it satisfying as an account of what happened in Lebanon in the period 1967-1976, nor does it cover adequatley the destructive role played by the Lebanese elites in these tragic years.
A good reference book -- but only if you really need the details, otherwise this is deffinitely a biased account of the war. The problem is not in what Mr. El Khazen says, but in what he leaves out. If this is your first book about the Lebanese war, then you are much better off with any of Kamal Salibi's books on Lebanon.
Excellent coverage of the war and the breakdown of the Republic.Prof Khazen gives us an outstanding analysis and a welcome anti-Marxist-leftist view of the war.This is a real anti-thesis to the usual broken record and cliches of Pan-Arabists, Fascist Syrians aka SSNP, Commies, 'romantic' Arabist idiots of the Western foreign press (Jonathan Randal, Robert Fisk, Patrick Seal, Thomas Friedman etc), Anti-Catholic 'WASP' coverage,etc.It deserves 10 stars.
This is a far more insightful and comprehensive work than several books on Lebanon I have read in recent years. Although I take issue with some of the author's arguments, the book is a solid academic work not only on the war but also on Lebanese society and politics. It is also based on new data and research material. The book is highly recommended for specialists on Lebanese and Arab politics.
This well researched, scholarly book on Lebanese politics and society is a welcome contribution to the study of conflict in the Middle East. The subject matter Farid el Khazen deals with is no doubt complex and controversial. But the author presents his arguments in a balanced and convincing way. His novel approach - examining Lebanon in crisis situations in broader regional perspective - is original and lucid. For anyone seeking to know the internal and external causes of the war in Lebanon, this is the book to read.
This well researched, scholarly book on Lebanese politics and society is a welcome contribution to the study of conflict in the Middle East. The subject matter Farid el Khazen deals with is no doubt complex and controversial. But the author presents his arguments in a balanced and convincing way. His novel approach - examining Lebanon in crisis situations in broader regional perspective - is original and lucid. For anyone seeking to know the internal and external causes of the war in Lebanon, this is the book to read.
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