Description
Book SynopsisThe Syrian regime, ruled by the Ba'th socialist party and headed by presidents from the Alawi minority, faces problems of legitimacy vis-a-vis its people, which it tackles through powerful security organizations and the state media. The government media machine exists to express the regime's viewpoint in both local and external spheres, and to promote acceptance of the legitimacy of Asad's presidency and government. The media also attempts to mobilize the masses to act in the service of the state by disseminating information which reflects Asad's position on current issues. The organs of the regime -- army, party, security services, national and local authorities -- are proclaimed as acting by order of the president. While personal commitment to the legitimacy of Hafiz al-Asad is the principal 'article of faith', this message is supported by complementary messages -- Asad being true to the Moslem faith; Asad as historic leader; Asad as the focus of identity of all Syrian citizens; the 'crimes' of the Moslem Brotherhood, etc. -- and vociferous political discourse.
Trade Review"...an outstandingly rich study of the way the Syrian Ba'th regime under Hafiz al-Asad used the Syrian media and other official information services in his search for legitimacy...This comprehensive study, based on a wealth of primary Arabic sources and written by an authority in Arabic language studies, should become a model for the analytic and systematic treatment of official rhetoric and regime-media/public relations in authoritarian regimes." -- Eyal Zisser, Head of the Department of Middle Eastern and African History, Tel Aviv University.
"...the author provides a unique documentation and analysis of the Middle East as seen through the eyes of the Syrian media. Dr. Kedar successfully conveys a true and panoramic picture of Arabian dictatorship. Dictatorship is expertly studied in Asad in Search of Legitimacy - from its causes, to its intricate mechanisms, to its impact on peace, progress, and modernity in the Middle East. By exposing truth and meaning behind media slogans, the author provides an indispensable documentary and commentary on Modern Middle Eastern history." -- Shaker Nabulsi, Head of the Arab-American Academic Association, Denver, Colorado.
Table of ContentsInformation, Propaganda, and the Role of the Mass Media in Syria; Nation, Society, State and President; The Islamic Element; History: Myths and Battles; The World Outside Syria; Psychological Elements; The Syrian Media under Bashar; Index.
