Political Reform

The Lebanese advocate a free market system, believe in private initiative, and work on safeguarding diversity and openness. This should not blind us to the fact that the way in which political life has been conducted, especially since independence, has weakened the system and paved the way for crises of all sorts.

 Exploiting sectarianism was not the only cause of the shortcomings in the political system. There are other distortions that have weakened the national structure. It has become insufficient to try to maintain the system by claiming that its distortions and idiosyncrasies are manifestations of freedom.

The Lebanese political system has evolved patterns of traditional practice that have allowed personal agendas and individual interests to come first, over the needs of the nation. In the absence of organized political parties that institutionalize political activity and prepare its members to bear public responsibility, loyalty to the nation and to the state is often much weaker than concern over personal interest. This is undoubtedly the reason why all attempts at political reform have failed, especially with respect to the public administration, the reform of which has been blocked by feudal political loyalties, protectionism and personal relations.

The Lebanese political system needs to be protected so that its negative aspects do not override the many positive characteristics that define this system and give Lebanon its advanced position on many levels. In addition to protecting this process we must also give precedence to the rule of law in order to guarantee public freedoms and maintain civil peace, social justice and political stability. Under the rule of law, Lebanese groups and individuals can realize their skills and potential and enter a democratic competition to achieve the best for all.

It is not difficult for any Lebanese to see, from the country’s bitter experiences, that democratic national life has two requirements. Firstly, an honest, qualified and strong political elite with vision, an unshakable will and determination. Secondly, an honest and upright judiciary that believes in applying law without bias or favoritism.

An unsullied and efficient political elite has been unable to play a role in government. Competition over governmental positions, according to political platform, policies and ideas is still absent. Instead, competition takes place on individual or family levels, a practice that does not help formulate distinct parliamentary groups or further the process of democracy. Thus, we lack the plurality of political parties that alternate and broker power as in other national democratic systems. For this reason, deputies are elected on their individual platforms, governments are predominantly made of coalitions formed under constitutional considerations that make governmental performance less than adequate. Political accountability for governmental inefficiency or illegal action is still absent.

Democracy and political parties are two faces of the same coin. Lebanon needs this coin to realize political, constructive, educational, technological and economic progress. The quicker political parties come into being, strengthen and gain more popularity, the shorter the transitional period towards a better representative political system.

The fact that political parties do not compete in parliamentary elections does not exempt us from the key democratic obligation of selecting our political and parliamentary representatives properly. The Lebanese do not lack the required deep-rooted political awareness.

Popular and effective participation in elections is both a duty and a responsibility that we should be ready to meet in order to bring to Parliament those who best represent the people. This is the best means for renewing national political life and the political system itself. These are the both the traditions of democracy and the requirements of co-existence in Lebanon’s political regime.

The same rules that apply to parliamentary elections also apply to municipal elections, which express people’s direct and local participation in democracy. Local councils must be developed to effectively contribute to comprehensive development. In order to assume their heavy responsibilities in the process of development, municipalities must enjoy financial and administrative independence.

Non-governmental organizations and associations also play a crucial role in paving the way for citizens to participate in the decision-making processes that involve the issues of their daily lives.

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