From The Periphery To The Center

Rise and fall of Zu'ama, emergence of modern parties and establishment of Ulama's leadership position are three principal aspects of Lebanese Shi'ite political development which signifies enhancement of Shi'ite strength and influence vis-a-vis Mronites, Sunnis and other sects. Moreover, Iran and Syria played important roles in their political development.Before the civil war (1975-1990), Shi'ites was on the periphery of Lebanese society. They played a second role in politics, and was the most impoverished and least educated group. Under the sectarism system, external delegacy was monopolized by a very few Zu'ama, which was the distinct characteristic of Shi'ite politics.Zu'ama was in the centre of the Shi'ite society for ages. They dominated Shi'ite politics, manipulated parliament elections, monopolized the duty of the Speaker, and occupied important government positions belonged to Shi'ites with their trusted aides. Zu'ama's privileges hindered Shi'ite social mobility and stifled their political energy. Since the 1960's, development of urbanization, the rise of middle class, politicalization of Ulama, restriction of government and break out of civil war all challeged Zu'ama unprecedentedly. After the civil war, Zu'ama lost most seats and the position of Speaker and became the second role in Shi'ite politics owing to their stubbornness and the change of socioeconimic formation.Ulama always hold special position in Shi'ites, but in Lebanon they submitted to Zu'ama's political authority. Since the late of 1960's, Shi'ite Ulama in the Middle Hast have gradually achieved the change from quietism to activism under the infulence of Najafi religional and political idea. The adventure of Musa Sadr in 1959 began the process of politicalization of Lebanese Shi'ite Ulama. He set up the Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council, sponsored large-scale mass movement, and built Amal movement. His activity increased cohesiveness of Shi'ites, weakened Zu'ama's influence, and put the Shi'ites into the age of popular politics. After Sadr, Fadlallah was another Alim who also produced a great influence on Lebanese Shi'ite political development. As a chief Islamic thinker, he moulded the public opinion of Lebanese Shi'ites, leaded the development direction of Lebanese ideological circle. After nearly half a century politicalization, Ulama represented by Fadlallah and Nasrallah have become the undisputed leaders of Lebanese Shi'ites.The rise of modern party is another main line of Lebanese Shi'ite political development. In the 1920's Shi'ites joined cross-sect parties, since the 1970's Amal and Hizbullah were born one after another, accordingly the influence of party in Shi'ite political development was gradually expanding. Amal and Hizbullah at first came into being as millitia, and then became mainstream parties. During civil war, as protectors of Shi'ites, they combat with other millitias and attacked Israeli invader actively. After civil war, Amal and Hizbullah had become the two most important parties in Lebanon, and thereout Shi'ites become the sect whose cohesive force is the most powerful. Amal's chairman Berry and Hizbullah's general-secretery Nasrallah are the two most influential Shi'ite politians in Lebanon.Of exterior powers Syria and Iran are two most influential countries in Lebanese Shi'ite political development. When Sadr was alive, he actively seeked for Syrian support. Since Amal was set up, it maitained good relationship with Syria. Altough there is enormous ideological difference between Hizbullah and Syria, common interests made cooperation the main aspect of their relationship. In Pahlavi period Iran had already provided fund to Lebanese Shi'ites. After Islamic Revolution, because the relationship between Iran and Amal deteriorated, Iran set up Hizbullah with the help of Syria, which was the successful result of its export of revolution. Since the 1990's Iran enlarged the scope of communication in Lebanon, but Hizbullah is still the main way for it to infuence Lebanon situation. Generally speaking, were there not Iranian and Syrian help, Lebanese Shi'ites could not obtain existing political status.In the above-mentioned process of expanding rights and benefits, complex and manifold identities took shape in Lebanese Shi'ites. Among four identities (Muslim, Arab, Shi'ite and Lebanese), they projected or weakened some identities according to reality. Anyhow, Lebanese nation is the ultimate stance of all Shi'ite political identities. Shi'ite activities have centered on a set of practices and ideologies seeking to break the hegenomy of Maronite and Sunnis narratives of Lebanon as a nation, and to place Shi'ites in the center of Lebanese national politics and self-image.In summary, diversification, systematization and popularization of politicl subjects are the basic tendency of Shi'ite political development. Untill now, Shi'ite political and economic powers have obviously expanded, their political influence has increased in large scale. Shi'ites have unprecedentedly become the key role in Lebanese politics. Shi'ite political development produced diverse influences. It changed power banlance among Lebanese sects, exposed the internal flaw of sectarism system, objectively harmed state authority, and changed historical course of Arab-Israeli conflict.Owing to restriction of mutiple conditions, Shi'ites are faced with a good many challenges. At the present time, the problem of Hizbullah arms is the struggle focus of interested parties, which can not be solved in short time. In the long run, Hizbullah will not be weakened, on the contrary its influence will be strengthened. Because it is difficult to realize reconciliation between sects, it is hard to abolish sectarism system and impossible to establish real parliamentary democracy, and Lebanese nation-building will be confronted with mountains of difficulties.