The Maronites In Lebanese Political Process

The Maronite Community had played a dominant role in the Lebanese political system at least from the late eighteenth century. Since1920s, the Maronites made great efforts to creat Greater Lebanon including some Muslim areas. After gaining independence from French colonial rule, Lebanese Maronite had even been able to maintain their supremacy as influential actors in Lebanese politics for the longer term. However, Since the National Pact formula was undermined by internal and external factors from the late1960s, the Maronites and the political Maronitism has been in decline. It is very different with Lebanese shi’ites’situation in which shi’ites inexorably appeared on the political horizon.Throughout the Lebanese history, the Maronites is a very special religious sect including some distinct traits, which differ from other Christian communities in Middle east. Frist, the Maronites is more active in political system than any other Christian sects. Especially since modern times, Maronites’political activity had profound impact on the formation process of the Lebanese modern national state. Second, as an ethnic minority in "Islam Ocean", Maronites has a general pattern of exclusiveness. It also contribute to Lebanese political system. In this article, we will narrate the history of the Maronites since5th century and analyze the National Pact formula and the reasons of Maronites decline. Besides, we will also forecast and evaluate the Maronites’political development in the future.