Many nations across The Middle East actively participate in corruption practices on a governmental level. Lebanon is no exception to this phenomenon. It is unique however, in its ability to embed characteristics of monopoly of resources, embezzlement of funds and an absence of transparency across both the public and private sector. A phrase commonly used among Lebanese when discussing the political atmosphere in Lebanon is “Kullun Haramiyyeh” or “They’re all Thieves” (Issa). Over the past few years however, Lebanon has experienced a rise in civil activism to combat such malpractices by the government. Civil activists have ignited a movement demanding political transparency and higher standards of living for the Lebanese population. At the forefront of this movement has been the youth of Lebanon, who mobilized the population to rally for these demands by means of demonstration, petition, interaction with the media, and especially use of the internet to garner support. This movement has gained unprecedented momentum, engaging both civilians and media to spread awareness of the government’s corrupted habits. Enacting tangible change however, has proved to be a more cumbersome task. Some Lebanese voters pointed to Michel Aoun, The Prime Minister elected in 2016 after basing his platform on an anti-corruption agenda. Prospects began to dim however, after the election of Aoun where people of Lebanon have failed to see much transparency, and Aoun’s party attempted raise in taxes with questionable legitimacy (Issa).
Many members of society in Lebanon have voiced their grievances about the lack of transparency within the Lebanese political sphere. Youth groups, international actors, and even some elites such as Ali Khalil, Minister of finance, have reached to various media outlets to voice their concerns and rally for tangible change in Lebanon. By 2015, new lists were coming out almost every day of prominent Lebanese politicians and civil leaders who had been accused of some form of corruption, many of whom had previously been deemed “politically connected untouchables” (Belhaj). This symbolizes progress for the movement, gaining major support and momentum from the population at large. At this point, Lebanese politicians began competing to show how serious they were about fighting political corruption, even going so far as to disclose names of suspected felons to the media, in efforts to get elected or remain in power(Belhaj).
Ali Hassan Khalil, Minister of Finance (2015) has been a major face of Lebanon’s movement against political corruption because he effectively utilized his position under the public eye to bring attention to corruption practices across Lebanon. In 2015 he told the Lebanese media “we live in a regime that allows any individual to engage in corruption practices at all levels and enjoy political protection from within and outside the government.” (Belhaj). Such statements coming from important actors haven proven imperative to the success of such a movement in gaining public support. In this instance, the public has a face to look to for stability and direction.
Another group at the forefront of this movement was the MyCity political party of Beirut. The party was composed of young people, including filmmakers, architects, and professors who achieved “unprecedented political traction” combatting the corrupted politicians of Beirut during the 2016 elections (Cambanis). Their platform was based on a dialogue that outlined a commitment to fighting corruption, and bringing basic amenities such as proper waste facilities to the citizens of Beirut. While the party did not take public office, they made huge advancements providing- if only briefly, a sense of hope for many Lebanese who had previously believed that the gap between civilians and the political realm was too wide to close. While their campaign promises were not enacted into the governmental system of Beirut, they outlined a dream that was shared by the people of Lebanon for a transparent government that could provide basic programs and assistance to their people.
After being without a prime minister for about two years, circumstances seemed to slightly improve after Michel Aoun was elected in 2016. Aoun led his campaign on a platform of anti-corruption policies and with the goal of exposing corrupted officials (Issa). However, after the party sought to implement suspicious taxes, Aoun’s reputation began to falter. Citizens took to the streets yet again to combat what seemed to be more of the same institutionalized corruption. Effectively, Aoun’s party began to rethink the previously suggested tax reforms.
The movement to end political corruption in Lebanon has been an imperative step towards Lebanon’s legitimacy as a true democracy. The movement has been progressive, with widespread backing from Lebanese civil society. Tangible success however, has proven to be a more difficult task. The election of Michel Aoun seemed to be a step in the right direction for Lebanon’s political transparency after he ran on the platform of being against systemic corruption. However after being elected, his actions have not made large steps away from Lebanon’s chronic corruption problem.
Works Cited
Barnard, Anne, editor. The New York Times. www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/middleeast/lebanons-garbage-crisis-underscores-governments-disarray.html.
Foreign Policy. foreignpolicy.com/2016/11/01/lebanon-has-a-new-president-not-that-it-matters/.
IBCGroup. www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/news-bulletin-reports/261364/report-beirut-my-city-campaign-announces-candidate/en.
Middle East Institute. www.mei.edu/content/article/lebanon-s-emerging-protest-movement.
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