Description
Book SynopsisExploring the contentious politics of Tripoli, Tine Gade examines the city's modern history, considering its fluid political identity and the relations between the governing Islamist and sectarian groups. In so doing, Gade offers a broader analysis of the character of Lebanese politics, and religious and political dynamics in the Middle East.
Trade Review'The story of Tripoli is rich and fascinating, and Gade tells it with deep insight and sympathy. Based on years of meticulous research, the book provides a new vantage point to evaluate Lebanese politics: the country's second metropolis, where citizens both resist and reshape the state.' Hannes Baumann, University of Liverpool
'An impressive and captivating deep dive into the political history of Tripoli, a city whose significance extends far beyond the city gates.' Thomas Hegghammer, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI)
'Tine Gade provides a masterfully crafted history of Tripoli's politics over the last century. Her nuanced account of the complex interplays between the city's radical and mainstream political and religious actors is particularly impressive. This book is an invaluable contribution to our understanding of intercommunal Sunni dynamics in Lebanon and beyond.' Thomas Pierret, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Aix-Marseille Université
'Tine Gade provides us with a remarkably detailed and in-depth field study which highlights the 'Sunni city' of Tripoli as a world in itself. However, the book goes beyond this case story: it shows also how this Sunni city mirrors the complexity of Lebanese politics and identity, and the long, complex history of Arab Sunni radicalism in the Middle East.' Olivier Roy, European University Institute
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Tripoli, secondary city of Lebanon; 1. Tripoli's city corporatism and identity politics during the nationalist era (1920–1979); 2. Regional proxy war: Radical Islamism (1982–1986) alters Tripoli; 3. The postwar erosion of Tripoli's city corporatism; 4. The globalization of Islam and the crisis of religious authority; 5. The future movement: Lebanon's political crisis and sectarianization 2005–2011; 6. Tripoli's Islamists: Clients of Arab Gulf states or autonomous actors?; 7. The impact of the Syrian Civil War and beyond, 2011–2020; Conclusion: What can Tripoli tell us about violence and ideological-political activism in the Middle East?
