Political parties, electoral reform and the prospects for democratisation process in Lebanon since the Syrian military withdrawal in 2005

This thesis aims to explore the obstacles to the democratisation process in Lebanon since the Syrian military withdrawal in 2005. It argues that the main impediment to the democratisation process in Lebanon is in the current consociational form of governance. It argues that this form of governance helps spark inter- and intra-sectarian conflicts between the political parties that intersect with external factors, such as foreign alliances, and regional and international developments. The endeavour of the sectarian political parties to mobilise popular support is aimed to secure their victory in the elections which can enable them to obtain the quota allocated for their sects in the consociational system, such as cabinet posts. This usually involves employing extensively sectarian rhetoric, inculcating a sense of fear among their followers, building inter-sectarian alliances, and seeking foreign support which help fuel inter- and intrasectarian conflicts. These conflicts influence negatively the behaviour of the Lebanese political parties, which leave adverse implications on political stability and the democratisation process. To demonstrate how the three aforementioned factors intersect and influence the behaviour of the political parties and the democratisation process, the thesis will explore and analyse the case of the electoral law that was supposed to be adopted for the 2013 parliamentary elections. It will show how the intersection of the inter- and intra-sectarian conflicts with the implications of the Syrian conflict contributed to the failure of the Lebanese political parties to reach an agreement on a new electoral law and led them to postpone the parliamentary elections that were supposed to be held in June 2013.