Reforming a “Greater Lebanon”

The roots of Lebanon’s political history runs deep, “it is the product of at least two centuries of continuous political change; a process of assimilation of new groups marks its unique experience in the Middle East” (Harik 1972). Constant change, political turmoil, dispersed groups, has helped shift Lebanon’s future—with a return to the foundation of the problems, there is always a hope for reform. To answer foundational problems, there is a need to observe, weigh, and consume over time through the generations these obstacles, and draw reforms from it.

The roots of Lebanon’s multiparty system began during the early twenties, following World War I and the League of Nations decision to give France mandate over Lebanon. After France occupied and declared the establishment of Greater Lebanon in 1920, their influence upon the Lebanese Constitution, which gleaned heavily from the French Third Republic, re-enforced the notion of a unicameral parliament with Chamber of Deputies, a President, and a Council of Ministers, or cabinet. With intention of bringing about independence and national unity, the Lebanese Republic, which was formed by the redrawing of state lines in the heterogeneous populations of Lebanon, sought to outline a western parliamentary system (Harik 1972). These populations consisted of growing Maronite Christians, Muslims, Greek Orthodox, Melkites, and Druzes.

The Maronite Christians were advocates of the French by tradition, and welcomed this new power and influence, for support of their majority. During the next twenty years, with the enlargement of pre-war Lebanon into Greater Lebanon, the population would see a change in balance of Christians and Muslims, as well as the balance or power between France and Lebanon...

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