The Challenges of Pluralism in Lebanon and the Culture of Change in the Lebanese Political Thought

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting the challenges of pluralism in Lebanon and the challenges when it comes to the culture of change in the Lebanese political thought. It also tries to analyze from a historical perspective what was the political change that occurred in the Lebanese feudal system as well as Lebanon’s modern history. Additionally, it also attempts to analyze the nature of the continuity of the Lebanese political model and the emergence of the concept of consociational democracy. The paper employs a qualitative method, classifying the different factors, internal and external, that shows what are the real challenges and obstacles and the current status-quo of the culture of change in the pluralistic Lebanon. The paper develops a framework for change in the pluralistic Lebanon especially during this current time. Its theoretical importance is in adding to the literature on the culture of change in the Lebanese political thought; Lebanon being a pluralistic society, which is a prerequisite for its democracy.