The interaction between professional syndicates and the state in Syria at professional and political levels

Abstract

The state-civil society relationship in Syria has long been a controversial issue. The prevailing literature tends to overestimate the strength of the Syrian state, and at the same time underestimate the strength of civil society. Through my analysis of a significant sector of civil society, that is, the professional syndicates, I shall explore the nature of the Syrian state and how it shapes this sector. My thesis will show how this sector reacts towards the state, and, in turn, how this reaction shapes the state’s ability to penetrate civil society and change it. I shall explore the interaction between three professional syndicates: the Engineers’ Syndicate, the Teachers’ Syndicate and the Doctors’ Syndicate, and the state in Syria, both at professional and political levels. My thesis illustrates how professional syndicates in Syria enjoy just enough autonomy to realize the interests of their members and defend their cases at a professional level, despite the fact that they struggle with the state’s apparatus to achieve further autonomy. At the political level, however, they follow the state’s orientation completely. During the current crisis, professional syndicates have supported the regime. In all Syrian cities they are rallying in favor of the regime, and are regarded as solid allies of the regime. My thesis demonstrates the motives behind this solid supportive stand.