The Political Basis of Well-Being in Lebanon

Politics lead to the exercise of power and political interests over the lives of the people where citizens of a country, in particular, become the broader measure of political power.

Social democratic countries that spend on civic and public services and countries with light income imbalances have better self-rated health and lower mortality. Countries with good institutional organizations, higher public spending, lower-income inequalities, and policies that ensure secure workplaces and access to education broadly have populations with better health. Accordingly, politics and policy shape population health and well-being.

Comprising of 18 religious groups, Lebanon upholds an arrangement dating back to 1943 which divides the three major political positions - the President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Prime Minister - within the three leading religions (Maronite Christian for the President, Shia Muslim for Speaker of Parliament, and Sunni Muslim for Prime Minister). Christians, Muslims, and Druze share an equal number of seats in the Parliament's 128-seat chamber which dates back to the Taif Agreement adopted on October 22, 1989, to approve a constitutional reform and restore a consociational government in Lebanon in a reformed form. The allocation of legislative seats, government positions, and high administrative roles was modified to reflect an equitable mix of Christian and Muslim representatives including Druze. Article 24 of the Lebanese Constitution: the distribution of seats shall be according to the following principles: a. Equal representation between Christians and Muslims.

This religious plurality makes Lebanon an easy target for foreign intervention, as shown by Iran's support for the Shia Hezbollah movement, generally regarded as Lebanon's strongest military and political force. Since the end of the Lebanese Civil War, political leaders from each religion have retained their control and authority through kinship networks, which defend the interests of the religious sects they serve while also providing financial resources, both legally and illegally (Lebanon: Why the country is in crisis, 2020). Nevertheless, this sectarian power-sharing structure is fueling nepotism and obstructing Lebanon's governance system.

For perhaps the first time in decades, a shortage of currency caused the Lebanese pound to lose value against the dollar on a relatively new black market at the beginning of October 2019. As wheat and fuel suppliers requested payment in dollars, workers staged a protest. The tragedy sparked a wave of anger in Lebanon which had been boiling for years. Many businesses were bound to lay off employees or place them on unpaid leave. The disparity between the legal and black market trade balance for the Lebanese pound broadened and banks increased capital controls. When rates continued to rise, many households found themselves unable to purchase even the most important needs. New unrest erupted as a result of economic misery. Throughout a protest in Tripoli in April, a man was shot and killed by police, and many banks were set alight (Lebanon: Why the country is in crisis, 2020).

Also, in the western mountains of the region, massive wildfires revealed how under-resourced and poorly equipped the emergency services seemed to be. The uprising in Lebanon from the revolution to the severe economic crisis led Lebanon to be considered a miscarried state. This being a state where politics and policy play a vital, crucial, and critical role by shaping the population’s health and well-being. Furthermore, Hassan Diab wrote in the Washington Post that "many Lebanese have already stopped buying beef, fruits, and vegetables, and will soon find it difficult to afford even food." This is a serious crisis amongst the many the Lebanese are experiencing.  This reflects the political system in Lebanon showing how it is outdated for being introduced by the Ottomans in the 19th century…

There is no such thing as faith or race when it comes to suffering.  The people are all going through the same thing but in different ways. Regrettably, sorrow reigns supreme, and the silence tomblike. The situation is difficult for everyone. Lebanon does not offer warmth to its residents, who face work instability and unemployment, with thousands of unemployed Lebanese youth, pushing the unemployment past 30%. Lebanon's unemployment rate has surpassed 30%, according to the latest figures from a Lebanese consulting firm, against the backdrop of the country's worst economic recession recorded. Lebanon was once one of the richest nations in the Middle East, but it is now one of the poorest. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Lebanon is the world's third most indebted country in terms of debt-to-GDP rate, and there is no expectation that the country will be able to pay back its debts (Lebanon’s Unemployment Rate Surges Past 30% Amid Meltdown, 2020).

Political groups in Lebanon, until now, are led by sectarian political leaders and are mostly based on religion. Nepotism characterizes this corrupt system. Nevertheless, efforts to curb corruption and hold politicians accountable for their illegitimate, lawless actions towards the citizens have been undermined. Protesters are calling for social justice and good healthcare regardless of financial status. They demand fair access to healthcare. Lebanon does not provide warmth to its citizens which leads to negative health impacts. Also, job insecurity and unemployment in Lebanon are evidenced as being negative for mental health. Nevertheless, this reflects the Lebanese concerns regarding the youth’s lost future and the ongoing struggle of living in Lebanon, asking for political reform, and hoping for a better future. This is a call for human dignity! Ironically, the IMF is potentially the country's only hope of rising from the ashes; however, ongoing domestic political strife, coupled with a corrupt bureaucracy, threatens to disrupt crucial restructuring talks with the international institutions.

Lebanon, once a popular tourist destination, now seems to be on the verge of becoming a people exporter. People are trying to get away from their problems. They are fleeing despair. All in Lebanon, from the poorest to the most educated, are looking for a way out. It is necessary to contribute by fostering a more positive society through awareness and neighborhood initiatives. This will, in some sense, give society a break from the harsh realities of life in difficult circumstances. Today's youth are the ones that will shape the future. Though we cannot always guarantee our children's futures, perhaps we can help them prepare for it. It is society’s collective duty to raise their voices. This is a cry for social justice!

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References:

Lebanon: Why the country is in crisis. (2020, August 5). Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53390108

‍Lebanon’s Unemployment Rate Surges Past 30% Amid Meltdown. (2020, June 30). Retrieved from Consultancy-me.com: https://www.consultancy-me.com/news/2900/lebanons-unemployment-rate-surges-past-30-amid-meltdown

Nuwayhid, I., & Zurayk, H. (2019). The political determinants of health and well-being in the Lebanese uprising. ResearchGate, 394. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32907-1