Abstract
This chapter introduces readers to the narratives of activism, change and sectarianism in the Free Patriotic Movement’s (FPM) stages of emergence, persistence and party transformation. It expresses the aims, rationale, central argument and findings of this work. It shows the significance of a secular political movement turned sectarian political party in Lebanon’s sectarian political context. It explains that the predominantly Christian middle-class supporters of the movement did not force the FPM to adopt sectarian strategies when it was operating in civil society. However, the FPM’s participation in conventional politics (Parliament and Council of Ministers) after 2005 made the movement fall back on sectarian modes of subjectification and mobilization to deal with its predominantly Christian support base.
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Helou, J.P. (2020). Introduction. In: Activism, Change and Sectarianism in the Free Patriotic Movement in Lebanon . Reform and Transition in the Mediterranean. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25704-0_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25704-0_1
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