Dilemmas of democracy and political parties in sectarian societies
Subtitle: the case of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon 1949-1996
By: Nazih Richani.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 183
Subjects: Ḥizb al-Taqaddumī al-Ishtirākī (Lebanon); Lebanon -- Politics and government -- 1946-
Description: The problems faced by the nation of Lebanon reflect those that confront all multiethnic societies. In this volume, Nazih Richani examines the intricacies of Lebanese political life in order to unearth what it might teach us about such societies and the Middle East in general. Richani provides an in-depth study of the political sociology and behavior of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), one of Lebanon's most important political parties.

Richani explains how a party is constructed in a multiethnic society, shows how social composition influences the decisions made by, as well as the dynamics of, a party, and answers the questions, What affects a party's development? How do leaders interpret and adjust to these developments? and How do these developments alter the party's proclaimed views and - ultimately - its goals?
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [173]-180) and index.