Promoting stability amid chaos : the transformation of Sunni clientelist networks in Tripoli, Lebanon -

Abstract

This thesis examines the nature of Sunni political representation in Tripoli, Lebanon, and how it has changed as the result of two recent significant events: the 2005 withdrawal of Syrian troops and the 2011 start of the Syrian civil war. In order to address this topic, the following analysis focuses on the city’s informal clientelist networks using a rational choice theoretical approach. It first provides a historical overview of political representation in the city beginning from the period of the French Mandate. This overview underlines the extent to which clientelist networks in Tripoli have transformed over time, and provides a comparative framework for understanding the current period. Based on interviews as well as analysis of secondary sources, the conclusion reached herein suggests that since 2005, Tripoli’s political environment has grown increasingly competitive, and that the proliferation of patron-client networks could contribute to preserving both stability and moderation in the face of severe regional challenges.