The preeminence of Hezbollah : rise of Shiite power in Lebanon -

Abstract

Shiites were grossly deprived and underrepresented in the young Lebanese Republic. Yet, in a relatively short period of time, they went from being the downtrodden to being one of the strongest political players in Lebanon. Hezbollah, the lead Shiite party in the country, developed from a local Islamic militia to a highly trained and well equipped army. It transformed its image from a terrorist organization to a formidable political party. It morphed into a state within a state with increasing popularity amongst its constituents. How did Hezbollah reach this level of preeminence despite historical, social and political hurdles in the face of Lebanese Shiites? This study will examine the key factors that led to Hezbollah’s preeminence: political alliances, social support system, and armed resistance against Israel. The study finds that Hezbollah’s masterful act of balancing political alliances, rallying public support, and flaunting the cause of the resistance are the three primary factors that led to its preeminence. Hezbollah eventually emerged as a key permanent player Lebanon, in spite of mounting pressure to disarm it.