Syria
Neither Bread nor Freedom
Published on 1. April 2003
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-84277-212-6 (ISBN)
Description
After the death of Syria's President Hafiz al-Asad in
mid-2000, hopes were high that his son and successor, Bashar, might succeed in
reforming a system that had become a byword for economic stagnation and the
pitiless repression of dissent. For six months, and for the first time in
decades, Syrians were able to speak freely, without fear of the hated secret
police. Political discussion groups mushroomed. The press started carrying
articles openly demanding democracy, and petitions were circulated insisting
that democracy was essential not only for its own sake but as a condition for
desperately needed investment and economic expansion.
Based on the testimony of key players, Syria: Neither Bread Nor Freedom recounts the drama of the 'Damascus
Spring' and its repression, and reveals what happens in a state like Syria to
the institutions that occupy the political space between government and governed.
From political parties to parliament, from the media to the judicial system and
universities, this book lifts the veil of rhetoric and propaganda to reveal a
system so demoralized and corrupt that power is wielded for no purpose but
power itself. This is Bashar al-Asad's legacy and the system which, given time,
he hopes to reform.
mid-2000, hopes were high that his son and successor, Bashar, might succeed in
reforming a system that had become a byword for economic stagnation and the
pitiless repression of dissent. For six months, and for the first time in
decades, Syrians were able to speak freely, without fear of the hated secret
police. Political discussion groups mushroomed. The press started carrying
articles openly demanding democracy, and petitions were circulated insisting
that democracy was essential not only for its own sake but as a condition for
desperately needed investment and economic expansion.
Based on the testimony of key players, Syria: Neither Bread Nor Freedom recounts the drama of the 'Damascus
Spring' and its repression, and reveals what happens in a state like Syria to
the institutions that occupy the political space between government and governed.
From political parties to parliament, from the media to the judicial system and
universities, this book lifts the veil of rhetoric and propaganda to reveal a
system so demoralized and corrupt that power is wielded for no purpose but
power itself. This is Bashar al-Asad's legacy and the system which, given time,
he hopes to reform.
Reviews / Votes
'A devastating critique of one-party rule and unchecked power, and a stirring vindication of Syria's courageous civil society movement' - Rana Kabbani 'Alan George has managed to combine journalistic immediacy with academic reflection to great effect in this fascinating study of modern Syria. Based, as it is, on personal interviews with Syrians directly involved in contemporary developments there, as well as on an awareness of the Syrian reality developed over many years, this book illuminates the real crisis that Syria faces as it tries to restructure the monolithic legacy of the late President Hafidh al-Assad' - George Joffe, Centre for International Studies, Cambridge UniversityMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
ISBN-13
978-1-84277-212-6 (9781842772126)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Alan George has worked as a freelance
journalist and researcher, contributing to a wide range of UK and international
publications including the Observer,
the Independent and Private Eye in the UK.
journalist and researcher, contributing to a wide range of UK and international
publications including the Observer,
the Independent and Private Eye in the UK.
Content
Acknowledgments; Introduction; Chronology; Vital statistics; 1. 'A certain equality of misery': An overview of Syria - The religio/ethnic mix - Ba'athist rule - Assad's rule - Restructuring the state - Torture - Corruption - Islamist rebellion - Rif'at challenges his brother - Foreign affairs - The economy; 2. Damascus spring: Rise of the civil society movement - New president, new mood - The civil society movement - Civil society's pedigree - The Statement of; 99 - The Statement of; 1,000; 3. Damascus winter: Suppression of the civil society movement - Closing the civil society fora - National Social Contract - Bashar chooses bread before freedom - Arrests - Trials - Bleak outlook; 4. 'The leading party in society and the state': The Ba'ath Party - Early days - The Ba'ath in transition - Assad and the leader cult - Popular organisations - Bashar and the party - Countering the civil society movement: circular; 1075; 5. 'The light of freedom': Parliament - Toothless watchdog - Ba'athist 'democracy' - The Progressive National Front - Elections - The outlawed opposition - The Speaker's role - Not-so-independent independents; 6. 'Subject to no authority but the law': The legal system - Crushing the lawyers - Haitham Maleh's ordeal - Endless 'emergency' - Special courts - A self-defying system - Selective prosecution - Corruption - No change under Bashar; 7. 'Balanced, objective and ethical': The media - Nizar Nayyouf's ordeal - The media in the Ba'athist era - Self-censorship by journalists - Bashar and the press - Ad-Dommari - Ath-Thawra - The technology revolution; 8. 'Creating a socialist, nationalist generation': Education - Ba'athist education - The universities - The mood softens - Professor Shukri remembers - Sub-standard staff and students - Corruption - Graduate unemployment; 9. 'Our leader...for ever'? Whither Syria? - Assad's crisis of legitimacy - Bashar's dilemmas - The economic challenge - External threats bolster the hardliners - Bread and/or freedom? - Modernisers will prevail; Appendices; 1. Statement of; 99; 2. Statement of; 1,000; 3. Towards a National Social Contract in Syria Select; Bibliography