The Shiʻa of Lebanon : clans, parties and clerics

The Shi'a of Lebanon have emerged in the last twenty years to become a major force in Lebanese politics having long been a marginalized political community. Rodger Shanahan's book examines the reasons behind this transformation from a largely rural population dominated by a handful of elite families, to an assertive sectarian force whose new found power is exemplified by the emergence of Shi'a parties such as Amal and Hizballah. The Shi'a Of Lebanon Have Emerged In The Last 20 Years To Become A Major Force In Lebanese Politics, Having Long Been A Marginalised Political Community. Rodger Shanahan's Book Examines The Reasons Behind This Transformation From A Largely Rural Population Dominated By A Handful Of Elite Families, To An Assertive Sectarian Force Whose New Found Power Is Exemplified By The Emergence Of Shi'a Parties Such As Amal And Hizballah. In This Highly Useful And Timely Study Rodger Shanahan Explores The Development Of The Shi'a Community From The Imposition Of French Mandatory Rule, Through Independence And The Bloody Civil War To The Withdrawal Of Israeli Forces From South Lebanon In 2000--jacket. Ch. 1. The Shi'a And Lebanon -- Ch. 2. The Rise And Fall Of The Traditional Zu'ama -- Ch. 3. An Alternative Path : Shi'a Participation In Political Parties -- Ch. 4. The Emergent Leadership : Political Participation Of The Clergy. Rodger Shanahan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [179]-194) And Index. The Shi'a of Lebanon have emerged in the last 30 years to become a major force in Lebanese politics, having previously long been a marginalised political community. Here, Rodger Shanahan examines the reasons behind this transformation from a largely rural population dominated by a handful of elite families, to an assertive sectarian force whose new-found power is exemplified by the emergence and influence of Shi'i political parties, most notably Hezbollah. In this unique and perceptive study, Shanahan explores the development of the Shi'i community from the imposition of French mandatory rule, through independence and the bloody civil war of the 1970s and 1980s to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from South Lebanon in 2000. Here, for the first time in paperback, Shanahan also examines the more recent controversies and crises of the 2006 War with Israel and the death of Ayatollah Muhammad Fadlallah. The struggle for political empowerment by ethnic and religious communities is a recurring theme in the history of the Middle East.