ABSTRACT

This chapter examines contemporary challenges for the establishment of a democratic civil state in Lebanon. The characteristic of sectarian populism is highlighted as a phenomenon that has overwhelmed Lebanese communal politics and undermined Lebanon’s potential to become a consensual nation state. The chapter also discusses anti-sectarian movements and provides various reform propositions to move beyond sectarianism that include electoral and administrative restructuring of government. The future of state consociationalism and sectarian power sharing arrangements is finally analyzed in light of the Arab Spring and regional transformations.