ABSTRACT
At a time when America, the world power, has declared its intention to introduce democracy in the Middle East, and to make Iraq the cradle of democracy in the region, it seems important to reconsider the experience that societies in the Middle East have already had with democracy and – closely connected with it – liberalism and nationalism. In Syria Zaki al-Arsuzi (1900-68) was one of the most important leaders in this context. He grew up in Antakya in an eventful period: the development of the Arab national movement; the collapse of the Ottoman Empire; the introduction of the mandatory system; and the fight for national independence. He studied at the Institut Laique in Beirut (1919), worked as a teacher in Antakya (1920-21), as an administrator in Arsuz (1924-25), and studied philosophy at the Sorbonne (1927-30). From 1930 to 1933 al-Arsuzi worked as a high-school teacher in Antakya. According to French reports he “taught as if he was teaching in a French high school, preparing free citizens for a free state in which people enjoy all their rights.”1 This conduct led to his dismissal. His political career reached its peak when he became the leader of the Arab resistance in Antakya against the Turkish takeover.2
