Description
Book SynopsisSince 1945, over 200 intra-state conflicts have taken place in countries that achieved independence from colonial rule after World War II. The case of Lebanon offers a striking illustration of these interlocking influences on projects of national economics development. The persistently sectarian nature of the country's political instutions, the relatively poor quality of governance and the major civil war that engulfed the country from 1975 to 1990, together define not only the context in which the achievements and failures of Lebanese development must be assessed, but also the continuing challenges that it must face in the era of globalization. This text offers an in-depth analysis of Lebanese economic development during the second half of the 20th century, with special emphasis on the civil war and its aftermath. Makdisi offers a definitive assessment of the principal phases of national development since Lebanese independence in the 1940s, and a study of those conditions requisite for sustainable development for Lebanon, as for many other developing countries.
Trade ReviewFawwaz Gerges - Sarah Lawrence College, New York: "The Lessons of Lebanon offers one of the most complex and comprehensive analyses of economic development in the past half a century. It must be made a prerequisite reading for all those students, researchers and politicians who are trying to understand economic challenges facing a country at war and how to overcome those challenges. The book offers critical lessons on sustainable development which transcend Lebanon's borders. Samir Makdisi has written a classic."
Table of ContentsList of figures. List of tables. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1 The period preceding the civil war: relative economic stability, growth, socio-economic gaps and underlying political instability; The political environment 11 Economic performance: quantitative aspects; Socio-economic development: qualitative gaps; A summary overview of development until 1975; Lebanon on the threshold of civil war. 2 The war period, 1975-90: resilience versus fragmentation; Introduction: the phases of the civil war; On the causes and duration of the civil war: economic versus non-economic factors; The political/military environment and the constraints on national economic performance: a summary view; Economic and financial performance: impact of the war and the national response; Reflections on the war period; The attempted reconciliation: the Taif Accord. 3 The post-war period: aspirations versus reality: Political background, growth and macroeconomics; Introductory remarks; The political context: a brief overview; Growth and the macroeconomic and financial situation; The post-war period: aspirations versus reality; Labour market, governance and socio-economic issues; Labour market and wage policy. 4. Fundamental issues of development: political governance and the socio-economic dimension of development; Aspirations versus reality: lopsided development. 5 Lebanon, development and globalization: concluding reflections; Successes and failures of Lebanon's development; Domestic conditions for viable long-term reform; Lebanon and the global economy; Lebanon and small, open developing countries; Final comment. Notes; Bibliography; Index.
