Epilogue
It’s paradoxical that the cover of Lebanese passports reads, in English translation, “Lebanese Republic,” since Lebanon is arguably the antithesis of what a “republic” is officially defined to be.
Reflecting on my experience in writing for this newspaper, I can conclude that almost every problem that plagues Lebanese society is related to the same fundamental issue: sectarian strife. Though the paralysis of our domestic politics is evidently clear to Lebanese citizens, it has not been enough to catalyze change. Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that fear seems to dominate hope in modern Lebanese society. After decades of civil war, bloodshed and proxy wars, the fear that dominates the rationale of the everyday Lebanese citizen is an understandable result. However, societies cannot move forward if they insist on looking backwards.
Is it not odd that the same politicians continue to lead the same political parties since the 1970s? Furthermore, is it not alarming that these same politicians continue to hold office in our government? We are still governed by the same dogmatic and voracious political figures that got us into a civil war in the first place. Here, rationality breaks down, and emotions of fear and security supplant the momentum these political parties have received for far too long.
The past twelve months have seen a rise in garbage slums, civilian deaths, and a long, long list of daunting developments that continue to send us back to societal primitivism. A rebirth of political and ideological thought and an acceptance of coexistence and tolerance may well be our salvation for the 21st century.
Nour Chehabeddine
It’s paradoxical that the cover of Lebanese passports reads, in English translation, “Lebanese Republic,” since Lebanon is arguably the antithesis of what a “republic” is officially defined to be.
Reflecting on my experience in writing for this newspaper, I can conclude that almost every problem that plagues Lebanese society is related to the same fundamental issue: sectarian strife. Though the paralysis of our domestic politics is evidently clear to Lebanese citizens, it has not been enough to catalyze change. Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that fear seems to dominate hope in modern Lebanese society. After decades of civil war, bloodshed and proxy wars, the fear that dominates the rationale of the everyday Lebanese citizen is an understandable result. However, societies cannot move forward if they insist on looking backwards.
Is it not odd that the same politicians continue to lead the same political parties since the 1970s? Furthermore, is it not alarming that these same politicians continue to hold office in our government? We are still governed by the same dogmatic and voracious political figures that got us into a civil war in the first place. Here, rationality breaks down, and emotions of fear and security supplant the momentum these political parties have received for far too long.
The past twelve months have seen a rise in garbage slums, civilian deaths, and a long, long list of daunting developments that continue to send us back to societal primitivism. A rebirth of political and ideological thought and an acceptance of coexistence and tolerance may well be our salvation for the 21st century.
Nour Chehabeddine