Martyr Cults and Political Identities in Lebanon: "Victory or Martyrdom" in the Struggle of the Amal Movement (Politik und Gesellschaft des Nahen Ostens)

Sabrina Bonsen sheds light on political cults of martyrs in Lebanon and reconsiders the context of their emergence, development and distinct characteristics since 1920. She examines how the honouring of martyrs became an established practice in Lebanese politics and is crucial to grasp the logic of violence and conflict. Drawing on the case of the Amal movement, the author analyses central narratives to the group's discourse and practices concerning martyrdom to show how identity construction and strategies of legitimizing power are intertwined. Moreover, the book provides insides into political competition strategies, especially in regards to the two major Shiʿite political actors, Amal and Hizbullah, and takes a new look on martyrdom by going beyond cultural-religious explanations. Contents Modern political history of martyr cults and identities in Lebanon: common features and differences, functions and effects Contemporary martyr myths, memorials and rites identified through participant observations, literature analysis and interviews Case study on the Amal movement: political history, discourse and practices Target Groups Lectures and students of political science, near and middle eastern studies, conflict studies Scholars and professionals interested in Lebanon and the Middle East The Author Sabrina Bonsen is a political scientist and received her doctorate from the University of Marburg. Her fields of research are contemporary political actors and societies in the Middle East Sabrina Bonsen sheds light on political cults of martyrs in Lebanon and reconsiders the context of their emergence, development and distinct characteristics since 1920. She examines how the honouring of martyrs became an established practice in Lebanese politics and is crucial to grasp the logic of violence and conflict. Drawing on the case of the Amal movement, the author analyses central narratives to the group's discourse and practices concerning martyrdom to show how identity construction and strategies of legitimizing power are intertwined. Moreover, the book provides insides into political competition strategies, especially in regards to the two major Shiʻite political actors, Amal and Hizbullah, and takes a new look on martyrdom by going beyond cultural-religious explanations. Contents Modern political history of martyr cults and identities in Lebanon: common features and differences, functions and effects Contemporary martyr myths, memorials and rites identified through participant observations, literature analysis and interviews Case study on the Amal movement: political history, discourse and practices Target Groups Lectures and students of political science, near and middle eastern studies, conflict studies Scholars and professionals interested in Lebanon and the Middle East The Author Sabrina Bonsen is a political scientist and received her doctorate from the University of Marburg. Her fields of research are contemporary political actors and societies in the Middle East.-- Provided by publisher Front Matter ....Pages I-XXI Introduction: Political Cults, Identities and Martyrdomin Lebanon (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 1-6 Theoretical Framework, State of Research and Method (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 7-34 Dying for God? – The Meaning of Martyrdom (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 35-57 Contextualizing the Emergence of Martyrs in Lebanon (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 59-125 Martyr Cults and Political Identities in Lebanon (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 127-161 The Amal Movement and its Cult of Martyrs (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 163-189 Following the Path of Martyrs (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 191-247 Myths and Memorials (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 249-286 The Significance of Martyrs in Amal Institutions (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 287-303 Exploring Martyrs in Media and Rites (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 305-328 Conclusion and Perspectives (Sabrina Bonsen)....Pages 329-339 Back Matter ....Pages 341-367