Líbano¿crónica de un conflicto perpetuo? (reedición)

Abstract

Lebanon, once known as the Switzerland of the East, has been plunged for decades into a process of crisis and increasing degradation of the quality of life of its inhabitants and of its own viability as a nation. The particularities and specificities of this small western Mediterranean nation meant that, from the beginning of its existence as an independent country, power in the broadest sense —political, social, religious, etc.— was shared out among the different confessionalities recognised by law, and this power-sharing was protected by law. But nothing lasts forever, least of all questions related to demographics; and so, in step with the changes that have taken place, both endogenous and exogenous, a new distribution of these quotas is being called for while the country remains in a perpetual crisis due to the paralysis generated by these disputes. And while the discussions continue, the Lebanese people are apparently marching towards the abyss.