The social movement theory was being developed over a long period of time and still is, as an interdisciplinary study of the social sciences. Many scientists as well as scholars used this theory in order to explain why mobilization occurs, the emergence of movements, their revolutionary characteristics in general and the different types of movements in their different stages in specific.
It deals with the political opportunity structure and constraints for a movement within a system or regime, the existing resources for a movement or its members to mobilize for their or its claims and last but not least the framing of its goals and demands in order to gain as much support as possible from the public and political sphere.
Furthermore subject of these studies is the effect and the outcomes of mass mobilization and collective action on social, political and cultural spheres. There are different perspectives, in which e.g. the political opportunity structure is used as a variable to examine the social developments and the political outcomes and consequences. As the most important scholars who laid the framework for the today known theory have to be named Charles Tilly, Sidney Tarrow, Michael Mann, Doug McAdam.
Table of Contents
1. Outline of the Social Movement Theory, Specified on the Political Opportunity Structure
2. Political Opportunity Structure in Lebanon
2.1 Opportunities and Threats
2.2 The Political System of Lebanon
2.3 Turning Point 2000: Emerging Opportunities
2.3.1 Change of External Factors in the Region
2.3.1.1 Syrian Predominance in Lebanon: Closure of the System and Loss of Legitimacy
2.3.1.2 Withdrawal of the IDF and death of Ḥāfiẓ al-Asad: Opening New Opportunities
2.4 External Factors and their Impact on Internal Affairs
2.4.1 September 11 2001 and USA´s War on Terrorism: Syria Becomes an Enemy
2.4.2 International Community: UN Resolution 1559
2.5 Change of Internal Factors: Availability of Allies and Foreign Powers
3. Challenging the Syrian Presence: Culminated in the Cedar Revolution
3.1 Internal: Émile Laḥḥūd and Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī
3.1.1 The Military Power Network around President Laḥḥūd and Syria
3.1.2 Withdrawal of Syrian Forces from Lebanon
3.1.3 The Economic and Political Power Network around Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī
3.2 Assassination of Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī and Emerging Protests: Splits in Elites and Trigger of the Independence Intifada
3.2.1 Pro-Syrian March 8 Movement
3.2.2 Anti-Syrian March 14 Alliance
3.3 Protests and New Coalition-Building in Opposition to Elites Affiliated with Syria and Western Powers
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper examines how external factors influenced Lebanon's internal political opportunity structure between the 2000 Israeli withdrawal and the 2005 Cedar Revolution, utilizing social movement theory to analyze elite alignments and political change.
- Application of political opportunity structure theory to the Lebanese political system.
- Impact of regional geopolitical shifts and U.S. foreign policy on Syrian influence in Lebanon.
- Role of internal power networks, specifically the influence of Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī and Émile Laḥḥūd.
- Analysis of mass mobilization and "mobilizing around death" following the assassination of Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī.
- Emergence of the March 8 and March 14 political movements as consequences of elite splits.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Opportunities and Threats
As the political opportunity structure deals with interaction of state and society, it can be perceived as the playing field, in which framing context occurs and it is furthermore the prerogative for actors to participate in political context. In general, important for examining the political opportunity structure, are opportunities and constraints for political actors.
Opportunities describe “the [perceived] probability that social protest actions will lead to success in achieving the desired outcome.” Besides that opportunities define “any changes that shift the balance of political and economic resources between a state and challengers, that weaken a state´s ability to reward its followers or opponents or to pursue a coherent policy, or that shift domestic or outside support away from the regime, increases opportunities”
According to Sidney Tarrow contention increases, when people gain access to external resources and are convinced to have opportunities to use them for their reasons, e.g. ending injustice or change of the social and political situation.
Often described as the “flip side of opportunities” are threats, ‘threat’ relates furthermore to the risks and costs of action or inaction, rather than the prospect of success”. According to Tilly and Goldstone, as Tarrow quotes them, action or inaction of certain groups at a certain time depends not only on the costs, it rather depends on the possibility of success, the belief in possible success respectively, no matter how high the costs could be.
Summary of Chapters
1. Outline of the Social Movement Theory, Specified on the Political Opportunity Structure: Introduces key concepts of social movement theory, including framing, mobilization, and political opportunity structures as analytical tools for political change.
2. Political Opportunity Structure in Lebanon: Analyzes the Lebanese state’s sectarian system and the impact of external actors like Syria and Israel on local political dynamics.
3. Challenging the Syrian Presence: Culminated in the Cedar Revolution: Details the internal power struggles between the elite networks of Laḥḥūd and Ḥarīrī, leading up to the events of 2005.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes how shifts in external factors and the triggering event of Ḥarīrī's assassination created the necessary political opportunities for the Cedar Revolution.
Keywords
Lebanon, Political Opportunity Structure, Syrian Influence, Cedar Revolution, Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī, Émile Laḥḥūd, Social Movement Theory, March 14 Alliance, March 8 Movement, UN Resolution 1559, Sectarianism, Political Mobilization, Elite Splits, Regime Change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The work investigates the impact of external geopolitical shifts on Lebanon's internal political opportunity structure between 2000 and 2005.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The study covers Lebanese domestic politics, the role of Syrian hegemony, the impact of the Israeli withdrawal, and the emergence of oppositional political movements.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to explain how changes in the external environment triggered shifts in internal elite alignments and enabled the mass mobilizations of the Cedar Revolution.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author applies social movement theory, focusing on variables like political opportunity structures, threat perception, and elite fragmentation.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section analyzes the political systems, the influence of regional powers, the power networks surrounding key figures like Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī, and the process of coalition building.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include political opportunity structure, Lebanese sectarianism, Cedar Revolution, Syrian presence, and elite mobilization.
How does the author define the role of Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī?
Ḥarīrī is depicted as a central economic and political actor who operated across sectarian boundaries and served as a focal point for both Syrian-affiliated power and emerging anti-Syrian opposition.
What significance is attributed to the assassination of Rafīq al-Ḥarīrī?
The assassination is identified as a critical "trigger" event that facilitated mass mobilization, effectively serving as an example of "mobilizing around death."
How did the March 8 and March 14 movements differ?
The March 8 movement remained pro-Syrian and focused on regional stability, while the March 14 alliance formed as an anti-Syrian, pro-independence movement following Ḥarīrī's death.
What role did the international community play according to the text?
The international community, particularly through the UN and U.S. pressure (e.g., Resolution 1559), is seen as a key external factor that helped validate and support the anti-Syrian opposition.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sebastian Voit (Autor:in), 2013, Cedar Revolution 2005. Social Movement Theory and Political Opportunity Structure in Lebanon, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/301243
