Civil strife in Lebanon, 1971-1973

Includes bibliographical references (pages 57-58)Utilizing a codebook developed for the study, measurements on thirty-eight variables were gathered for each civil strife event which occurred during a thirty month period in Lebanon. Specifically, the data was analyzed to answer the two research questions examined in this thesis: 1) ???What characteristics would comprise an accurate portrayal of Lebanese civil strife?" and 2) ???Based on the data, what comments can be made regarding the process of social mobilization in Lebanon?" With regard to the first question, cross-tabulations and modal findings provided a representative profile depicting Lebanese strife as usually urban, peaceful, and of short duration. Those participating were typically small groups who voiced a specific political objective and directed non-violent actions at limited actor-targets without threatening regime stability. Findings relevant to the second question disclosed that the new secondary associations which evolved as a consequence of social mobilization exhibited conflict demands whose form and substance remained considerably narrow in extent. This was in contrast to the belief expressed by other observers that broadly populist claims would result from the processes of social mobilization. But despite this new parochialism the new groups were not motivated by mutual deterrence and lacked the inherent antagonisms and distrustfulness which are characteristic of the traditional communal associations. As such, the new secondary groupings provide some optimism that the forces of social mobilization may yet aid in the development of a new Lebanese civility