how did democracy change the course of events for syeria

What happened to the Democratic and progressive forces in Syria?

The democratic and progressive forces have been repressed severely in Syria. With the exception of the PYD (Democratic Union Party – Kurdish democratic confederalist political party),which still remains in Syria, most of the groups and activists have been pushed into exile, if not killed and imprisoned.

How did democracy evolve over time?

It highlights moments where there was a significant evolution of democratic principles. The extension of democracy includes: Weakening power of absolute rulers / absolute monarchs. Extending the decision-making process to a wider section of society. Giving every member of society a say in the decision-making process.

Did land reforms in Syria make progress in redistribution?

Despite high levels of inequality in land ownership these reforms allowed for progress in redistribution of land from 1958 to 1961 than any other reforms in Syria's history, since independence. The first law passed (Law 134; passed 4 September 1958) in response to concern about peasant mobilization and expanding peasants' rights.

What was the result of the Syrian Revolution?

The power struggle culminated in the November 1970 Syrian Corrective Revolution, a bloodless military overthrow that installed Hafez al-Assad as the strongman of the government. On 6 October 1973, Syria and Egypt initiated the Yom Kippur War against Israel.

What is the democracy of Syria?

Officially, Syria is a republic. In reality, however, it is an authoritarian regime that exhibits only the forms of a democratic system. Although citizens ostensibly vote for the President and members of Parliament, they do not have the right to change their government.

What are some major events that happened in Syria?

20th centuryYearDateEvent19736 OctoberYom Kippur War: Syria and Egypt fought against Israel.1974MaySyria and Israel signed a disengagement agreement.1976Syrian occupation of Lebanon: The Syrian occupation of Lebanon began.1982FebruaryA Muslim Brotherhood uprising in Hama was suppressed by the military.16 more rows

What events led to the Syrian civil war?

The uprising against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad gradually turned into a full-scale civil war, with two significant milestones being the initial March 2011 Arab Spring protests and the 15 July 2012 declaration by the International Committee of the Red Cross that the fighting had gradually become so widespread that ...

How did the Syrian government respond to the uprising?

In response to the uprising, Syrian law had been changed to allow the police and any of the nation's 18 security forces to detain a suspect for eight days without a warrant. Arrests focused on two groups: political activists, and men and boys from the towns that the Syrian Army would start to besiege in April.

What type of government does Syria have?

TotalitarianismUnitary stateSemi-presidential systemOne-party stateSyria/Government

When did the Syrian protests start?

26 January 2011Protests began in Syria as early as 26 January 2011, and erupted on 15 March 2011 with a "Day of Rage" protest generally considered to mark the start of a nationwide uprising.

How did the Syrian war escalate very rapidly?

The unrest spread and the crackdown intensified. Opposition supporters took up arms, first to defend themselves and later to rid their areas of security forces. Mr Assad vowed to crush what he called "foreign-backed terrorism". The violence rapidly escalated and the country descended into civil war.

What caused the Syrian refugee crisis?

What is the Syrian refugee crisis? The Syrian refugee crisis is the humanitarian emergency resulting from the Syrian civil war that began March 15, 2011. Conflict in Syria has exacted a heavy toll on hundreds of thousands of children and their families.

What was happening during the Syrian war?

The conflict has caused a major refugee crisis, with millions fleeing mainly to neighboring countries Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Over the course of the war, a number of peace initiatives have been launched, including the March 2017 Geneva peace talks on Syria led by the United Nations, but fighting has continued.

Why did the Gulf monarchies fear the establishment of a form of democracy in Syria?

The Gulf monarchies feared the establishment of a form of democracy in Syria, which would threaten their own interests if democratic ideas and activities expanded in the MENA region. From this perspective, they preferred a sectarian war and encouraged a sectarian narrative through their media and funding.

What was the policy of colonization in Syria?

Between 1972 -1977, a policy of colonization was implemented in predominantly Kurdish regions of Syria as part of the Arab Belt plan. Around 25,000 “Arab” peasants, whose lands were flooded by the construction of the Tabqa Dam, were sent to the High Jazirah, where the Syrian regime established “modern villages” adjacent to Kurdish villages.

What was the impact of the Kurdish Intifada on the Syrian people?

The Kurdish Intifada, as well as developments in Iraqi Kurdistan that saw increased autonomy and the raising of Kurdish flags and symbols, boosted Syrian Kurdish people’s morale and confidence in mobilizing for their rights and strengthened the nationalist consciousness of the youth and their will for change.

How many refugees are there in Syria?

After nine years, there are over 5 million refugees and 500,000 dead.

When did relations between Kurdish and Syrian governments worsen?

Relations between the Kurdish political parties and the Syrian regime increasingly worsened through the late 1990s and into the early 2000s. An improvement in Turkish/Syrian relations prompted Syrian security forces to launch several waves of repression against the remaining PKK elements in Syria.

What were the causes of the rise of the Islamic movement?

The rise of those Islamic movements had various causes, including the regime’s initial facilitation of their expansion, the repression of the protest movement leading to radicalization among some elements, better organization and discipline, and finally support from foreign countries.

What was the aim of the regime's high officials?

The aim of the regime’s high officials was nevertheless consistent: to suppress the protests, divide people according to primordial identities, and instil fear and distrust among them to break the inclusive spirit of the movement.

What happened after Syria declared independence?

The years immediately following Syria’s declared independence were marked by instability and repeated government coups. Syria joined with Egypt and became the United Arab Republic in 1958, but the union split a few short years later in 1961. The 1960s brought more military coups, revolts and riots.

Who ruled Syria?

Throughout ancient times, Syria was occupied and ruled by several empires, including the Egyptians, Hittites, Sumerians, Mitanni, Assyrians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Arameans, Amorites, Persians, Greeks and Romans. Ancient Syria was a region referred to often in the Bible.

What is the Syrian Civil War?

Syrian Civil War. Syrian Refugees. Sources: Syria is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a rich artistic and cultural heritage. From its ancient roots to its recent political instability and the Syrian Civil War, the country has a complex and, at times, tumultuous history.

How long was Hafez al-Assad in power?

He remained in power as president for 30 years, until his death in 2000. Hafez al-Assad was part of the Islam Alawite, which is a minority Shiite sect. During his presidency, Hafez was credited with strengthening the Syrian military with the help of the Soviets. Syria and Egypt went to war with Israel in 1973.

How many people died in Syria in 2012?

But by 2012, Syria was engulfed in a full-blown civil war. Estimates vary, but according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 321,000 people have been killed since the start of the war or are missing. Hundreds of people were killed outside of Damascus in 2013 during a chemical weapons attack.

What happened in 1963?

In 1963, the Arab Socialist Baath Party, which was active throughout the Middle East since the late 1940s, seized power of Syria in a coup known as the Baath Revolution. In 1967, during the Six Day War, Israel seized the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau located in southwestern Syria.

What was the name of the war between France and Syria?

In 1936, France and Syria negotiated a treaty of independence, which allowed Syria to remain independent but gave France military and economic power.

What is the significance of the Damascus Declaration?

Significance of the Damascus Declaration (October 2005) Signed by a broad spectrum of oppositionists, the statement does not mince words. "The authorities' monopoly of everything for more than thirty years has established an authoritarian, totalitarian, and cliquish (fi’awi in Arabic) regime," the signatories declare bluntly , accusing the regime of isolating the country through its "destructive, adventurous, and short-sighted policies on the Arab and regional levels, and especially in Lebanon."

What is the dissent among the Alawite?

Several senior Alawite power brokers—including Bahjat Suleiman (intelligence), Hassan Khalil (military intelligence), and Adnan Badr Hassan (political security)—were recently "retired." Second, the suicide/assassination of leading regime figure Ghazi Kenaan—under questionable circumstances—signaled concern within the ruling elite. There is some speculation that he was in touch with former Syrian vice president Abdel Halim Khaddam and former military chief of staff Hikmat Shihabi in Paris, possibly planning a coup. Members of the Alawite establishment are reportedly worried about President Bashar Assad's judgment and repeated miscalculations. Rifts within the ruling elite are also being exacerbated by the increasing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the Assad and Makhlouf families. Conversely, the Alawite elite has seen their "piece of the pie" shrink over the last five years.

What is the reality of internal repression?

The reality of internal repression shifts much of the weight onto oppositionists outside the country. Another conference bringing together all opposition forces to present an alternative to the Assad regime could be an important next step. The last such meeting took place in Paris two months ago. Two previous meetings were held in Europe over the past two years. Although the Paris meeting was successful in bringing together a diverse group of Syrian opposition figures, it is not clear whether the momentum will be maintained.

Is there a shift in power in Syria?

Shifts in Power? There has been a major shift in the Syrian economy, with capital formation increasingly in the hands of non-state actors. Even though proximity to the state remains the best guarantee for capital preservation, these new concentrations of capital are "flexible" and can easily be withdrawn from the state. This may already have begun, although the process is still far from a tipping point.

What happened in Syria in 1936?

1936 - France agrees to work towards Syrian independence and dissolves the autonomous regions , but maintains military and economic dominance and keeps Lebanon as a separate state. 1941 - British and Free French troops occupy Syria. General De Gaulle promises to end the French mandate.

When did Syria retake Palmyra?

2015 December - Syrian Army allows rebels to evacuate remaining area of Homs, returning Syria's third-largest city to government control after four years. 2016 March - Syrian government forces retake Palmyra from Islamic State with Russian air assistance, only to be driven out again in December.

When did Shukri al-Kuwatli return to power?

1955 - Shukri al-Kuwatli returns to power, seeks closer ties with Egypt. 1958 February - Syria and Egypt form the United Arab Republic. Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser heads the new state. He orders the dissolution of Syrian political parties, to the dismay of the Baath party, which had campaigned for union.

When will Turkey send troops to Syria?

2020 March - Turkey sends thousands of troops across the border to stop a Syrian offensive to retake Idlib, the last province still in opposition hands. 2020 June - Protests in southern Syria at growing economic hardship prompt President Assad to dismiss Prime Minister Imad Khamis.

Who was the first Syrian leader to visit Turkey?

Undersecretary for State John Bolton says Damascus is acquiring weapons of mass destruction. 2004 January - President Assad visits Turkey, the first Syrian leader to do so. The trip marks the end of decades of frosty relations, although ties sour again after the popular uprising in 2011.

Who was the Ottoman governor of Syria in 1917?

image caption. The Ottoman governor of Syria, Jamal Pasha, rides through Damascus in 1917. 1919 - Emir Feisal backs Arab self-rule at the Versailles peace conference, following the defeat of Germany and the Ottoman Empire in World War I.

When did President Assad meet Nicolas Sarkozy?

2008 July - President Assad meets French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. The visit signals the end of the diplomatic isolation by the West that followed the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005. 2008 October - Syria establishes diplomatic relations with Lebanon for first time since both countries established independence in ...

What was the Syrian upheaval?

Upheaval dominated Syrian politics from independence through the late 1960s. In May 1948, Syrian forces invaded Palestine, together with other Arab states, and immediately attacked Jewish settlements. Their president Shukri al-Quwwatli instructed his troops in the front, "to destroy the Zionists". The Invasion purpose was prevention of the establishment of the State of Israel. Defeat in this war was one of several trigger factors for the March 1949 Syrian coup d'état by Col. Husni al-Za'im, described as the first military overthrow of the Arab World since the start of the Second World War. This was soon followed by another overthrow, by Col. Sami al-Hinnawi, who was himself quickly deposed by Col. Adib Shishakli, all within the same year.

Who led the Syrian government in 1963?

The takeover was engineered by members of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, led by Michel Aflaq and Salah al-Din al-Bitar. The new Syrian cabinet was dominated by Ba'ath members.

What was the name of the French leader who ruled Syria in 1920?

French troops occupied Syria later that year after the San Remo conference proposed that the League of Nations put Syria under a French mandate. General Gouraud had according to his secretary de Caix two options: "Either build a Syrian nation that does not exist... by smoothing the rifts which still divide it" or "cultivate and maintain all the phenomena, which require our arbitration that these divisions give". De Caix added "I must say only the second option interests me". This is what Gouraud did.

How much did Syria export in 2012?

[update] , because of the ongoing Syrian civil war, the value of Syria's overall exports has been slashed by two-thirds, from the figure of US$12 billion in 2010 to only US$4 billion in 2012. Syria's GDP declined by over 3% in 2011, and is expected to further decline by 20% in 2012.

How much of Syria's GDP is agriculture?

The agriculture sector contributes to about 20% of GDP and 20% of employment. Oil reserves are expected to decrease in the coming years and Syria has already become a net oil importer. Since the civil war began, the economy shrank by 35%, and the Syrian pound has fallen to one-sixth of its prewar value.

How many governorates are there in Syria?

Syria is divided into 14 governorates, which are sub-divided into 61 districts, which are further divided into sub-districts. The Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, while de facto autonomous, is not recognized by the Syrian Arab Republic as such.

What is the Syrian Civil War?

The ongoing Syrian Civil War was inspired by the Arab Spring revolutions. It began in 2011 as a chain of peaceful protests, followed by an alleged crackdown by the Syrian Army. In July 2011, Army defectors declared the formation of the Free Syrian Army and began forming fighting units. The opposition is dominated by Sunni Muslims, whereas the leading government figures are generally associated with Alawites. The war also involves rebel groups ( IS and al-Nusra) and various foreign countries, leading to claims of a proxy war in Syria.

What was the first form of direct participatory democracy?

Many positions were chosen by ‘random lot’ – considered the fairest way of avoiding privilege. Democracy was direct, with citizens voting on decisions directly. Although small-scale and limited to male Athenian citizens, it is considered one of the earliest forms of direct participatory democracy in the ancient world.

Which leader initiated reforms which led to greater openness and democracy in the Soviet Union?

The Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev had initiated reforms which led to greater openness and democracy in the Soviet Union. Unlike his Soviet predecessors, he allowed Eastern countries to follow their independent democratic fate. Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. “ Key events in the history of democracy “, Oxford, UK.

What is the extension of democracy?

The extension of democracy includes: Weakening power of absolute rulers / absolute monarchs. Extending the decision-making process to a wider section of society. Giving every member of society a say in the decision-making process. One definition of democracy was given by Abraham Lincoln.

What was the Great Reform Act of 1832?

Great Reform acts of 1832-1837. The great reform act abolished ‘rotten boroughs’ very small seats where MPs could buy their seat. It also extended the vote from a small class of propertied males to franchise most male voters over the age of 18.

What was the purpose of the Constitution of 1787?

American Constitution (1787) In the aftermath of the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers of America wished to create a new democratic society, based on democratic principles of ‘one man one vote’. The new women and slaves.

Who defined democracy?

One definition of democracy was given by Abraham Lincoln. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. These events all helped this democratic ideal come closer.

Did the French Revolution create a democracy?

In the short term, the French revolution didn’t create a democracy, but it changed attitudes throughout the world. The threat of revolution was a factor in encouraging European states to devolve power and contemplate greater democracy.

Inside The Regime

• Dissent among the Alawites?Tribal/clan solidarity (asabiyah in Arabic) is often cited as a key factor that pulls the Alawites together during times of crisis. But numerous developments signal a deepening rift. Several senior Alawite power brokers—including Bahjat Suleiman (intelligence), Hassan Khalil (military intelligence), and Adnan Badr Hassan ...

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Political Economy and A Weakening State

The Opposition

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