July 15, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The way forward for the Independence Intifada
By Mark Daou

LONDON: Revolutions are rare occurrences particularly in traditionalist societies such as Lebanon. Nonetheless, that eastern Mediterranean country dazzled the world for months in 2005 with a rapid shift of its political landscape. Millions took to the streets carrying their flags, their smiles, their optimism, their heads held high. The passage of time and the unfolding of events created a distance which allows for a more studious assessment of the events that the late Samir Kassir named the Beirut Spring.

Political revolutions transform state structures but not social structures this I believe is the case of Lebanon’s 2005 events. This stands in difference from processes such as industrialization which can transform social structures without necessarily bringing about, or resulting from, sudden political upheavals or basic political-structural changes. An additional distinction is from rebellions, even when those are successful, they may involve the revolt of subordinate classes – but they do not eventuate in structural change. Thus in Lebanon in 2005 it was not a rebellion nor a social structural shift but a political revolution that transformed the state structure. The toppling of the Karami government and the forced withdrawal of the Syrian troops can be understood in that light of state structural change.

Yet the Independence Intifada was more than a mere shift in political structures, a war-torn country that suffered occupations and the breakdown of the state since the late 60s suddenly awoke to a flood of people taking to the streets and squares. Citizens emerged from the tatters known as Lebanon.  The Intifada was called a second independence, The Beirut Spring, The Cedar Revolution. Some analysis suggested that the events were at the core of a state building path that can bridge old hatreds and set the course for a prosperous future. That was, and I contend, still remains the case today even with the deteriorating situation, that optimism is not based on a political reading but on an envisioned set of tasks.

There is no going back to how things were. We may stagger in the Lebanese internal quicksand for sometime but the path forward is clear and achievable. The bigger picture is dotted with spots of bright lights of hope. A hope for a more complete change a political as well as a social transformation that would settle the country on firm grounds to progress.

What is unique to social revolution is that basic changes in social structure and in political structure occur together in a mutually reinforcing fashion. Social revolutions are set apart from other sorts of conflicts and transformative processes above all by the combination of two coincidences: the coincidence of societal structural change with class upheaval; and the coincidence of political with social transformation. Moreover, social revolutions are carried through, in part, by class-based upheavals from below.

To push forward we, as citizens, should further the social transformations after the political transformations that have taken place, only then will our revolution and our spring be in full bloom. The action has to come from below from the people. Social transformations can only start from challenging the sectarian basis of our political system head on. The current quagmire is largely due to the misgivings created by a sectarian based political reality and leadership. One has to look beyond the sectarian divisions to find a brighter future. A second, more facile task is to build capable democratic political parties that can eventually (mid-to long term) have a resonating effect on the political landscape. The social transformations should spill over into politics through the creation of distinct political parties that are secular and democratic.

The current political challenges place a daunting load on the shoulders of all Lebanese citizens who contributed and sacrificed much for the good of their country in supporting and continuing to support the Independence Intifada. Those citizens should act as citizens and as citizen-voters and break with the traditional tribal and sectarian politics to create a new social reality. The political transformations in 2005 have facilitated the changes towards a social transformation; the deteriorating situation is closing the window of opportunity. The steadfastness of the Saniora government and the March 14 coalition is keeping that window open and the political transformations intact against the onslaught of the pro-syrian radicals. In the long term though one has to admit that without the necessary social transformations all will be as it used to be in the bad old days of sectarian divisions and tribal leadership.

The Lebanese have to make up their minds that happiness depends on freedom, from sectarianism, fundamentalists, tribal allegiance, and religious dogmas. Freedom depends on being courageous, particularly in the face of a ruthless enemy or even the threat of imminent war. Those who died did not sacrifice for nothing they died for the country to live a prosperous future and a never ending Beirut Spring.