Religion and Theology

Rodger Shanahan in his book entitled The Shi a of Lebanon Clans, Parties and Clerics effectively outlines the changes in the political landscape of Lebanon via the political moves of the Shi i group, most notably in South Lebanon.  These trends have been traced back by Shanahan to the historical spilt between the Sunni and Shi a Muslims, which is thoroughly explained in the first chapter of the text.  However before historical context is given to the Shi a situation at the present, an introduction by Shanahan provides a broader framework for not only the Lebanese Shi a political split and struggle, but also for all nations throughout the Middle East.  Both political participation by this religious group, as well as recognition of party legitimacy will shape the future of this region, according to the author.  It is fair to say that Shanahan uses Lebanon as a case study in the politics and religious polarization that is similar to other countries, such as in Iraq, Iran, and Syria.  Therefore, for both the layperson unfamiliar with the political struggle in Lebanon and for the Political Scientist, wishing to use Lebanon as a case study, this book is extremely effective for these purposes.

Shanahan introduces the era of the Shi a struggle as being brought forth in 1979 Iran with the Iranian Revolution.  He references this event as a framework for the Shi a in other countries due to the stereotype that was entrenched from the Iranian situation.  Therefore, since the legitimacy of the Shi a as both a cleric-led and political group was not acknowledged before that time, Shanahan seeks to provide scholars and other interested parties with a view of the Lebanese situation since much focus has been on the more current issues with the military arms of the Shi a in Iraq.  Though Shanahan does look at the influences of neighboring states on the Shi a, he also gives historical context and writes with objectivity on a subject that may be more volatile if the research tied into only the militancy of the group.  There is mention of the power of the Hizzbulah, but mostly in comparison to the influence of clerics in and outside of this group.  Similarly, Shanahan does not focus solely on the division between the Sunni and the Shi a , but also on the issues the Shi a have encountered with secular groups.

Besides the insightful introduction and the first chapter devoted to the historical context of the Shi a in Lebanon, Shanahan adds in the second chapter his expertise on  The Rise and Fall of the Traditional Zua ma .  It is here that the power of regional leaders versus the power of religious leaders clashed.  Shanahan investigates the issues inherent with such a hierarchal system under the Zua ma and offers explanations into the loss of power in this system in favor of a system that was seen as more beneficial to the people, who were only seen as clients if they were not part of a recognized clan.  These clan connections that remained since the Ottoman period, therefore, excluded for the most part the poorer Shi a, who did not benefit from the ruling party nor the economic system in place by the Zua ma.

Shanahan s third chapter focuses on the alternatives in the political process after the loss of power under the Zua ma system.  The author focuses on the Western influence of party identity and electoral power of the Shi a, which differed from the former process that was more mired in clan or secular issues.  The two strong Shi a parties gained the ability to represent a more theocratic government at least in the interest of the poor Shi a.  This Westernized type of government consisting of parties with differing interests has replaced the  bloc...a collective of like-minded traditional notables who joined forces to achieve limited political gains  1.  This shift is certainly notable and noted throughout the chapter.  Similarly notable is the transition of the Shi a to a nationalist political style, to a Leftist more radical stance, and then to the militias that turned into political parties the Hizbullah and the Amal.
Shanahan s fourth chapter is devoted to the clerical style of the Shi a rather than the political style outlined in the previous chapter.  Here the role of Shi a clerics in reviving the community and therefore keeping interest in supporting a Shi a led government is examined.  The academic expertise of clerics and their following of the Twelve Imams gave them authority in the community in all affairs and led to a desire for education in their followers.  Therefore the Shi a still boast an educated political group, who are able to follow not only Shi a tradition, but also to learn and discern subjects of a secular nature.  The advent of the Usuli school and the financial endowments were beneficial, as well.  Though the power that the Shi a clerics had was indeed a force to be reckoned with, the author states that  this potentiality...was eventually recognized in Lebanon, it was by no means universally accepted within the community.  This illustrates yet again the complexities of Shi a politics  2.
Shanahan concludes the text with both a summary of the chapters and the reasoning behind the importance of understanding the Lebanese changes in government as part of a larger structure within the region.  He, also provides notes on his myriad of sources that include texts that were translated from Arabic to English.  The author does provide his sources and although he presents himself as an expert in the realm of Political Science, he admits that there may be gaps in what he writes about due to an unavailability of important historical documents and a possible bias of the contribution of interviewees.  Shanahan s extensive supporting documents and his admitted desire to provide a scholarly resource that explains the Shi a rise to power and the contribution this previously marginalized group has made is notable and needed as part of a collection of regional political information.

The fact that the author relied not only on secondary sources, but on primary sources in the form of interviews is interesting and gives more credence to the validity of what is written.  Similarly, Shanahan provides his secondary sources, not only in the bibliography but throughout the book.  This helps the reader to discern where the ideas emerge from in terms of the author s interpretation of someone else s documents or from Shanahan s own opinions. However, Shanahan does remain objective and academic in his writing and provides definitions of terms that may be unfamiliar to his readers.  For this reason, as mentioned previously, this text is useful for a layperson to derive a cursory knowledge of Middle Eastern politics using Lebanon as a case study and it is also useful to add to the library of the political academic.

The text can be considered a political statement on the power of numbers of the Shi a group as a legitimate and formidable force in Lebanon, but this can be translated to any country that has seen a progression from different styles of government.  Simply, the group with the most numbers and supporters can and will rise to power, despite the cost.  The Shi a had to face many obstacles in the form of secular parties and the status quo clan system that had been in place since the time of the Ottoman Empire.  So it would be fair to say that the Shi a effectively bucked a centuries old system in favor of a Westernized system, which leaves much in the way of reflection.  It seems that it is only the United States that has survived under the same bicameral system, since it s adoption of the U.S. Constitution.  However if centuries old politics can be overthrown in lieu of a system that works out more favorably for the majority, it would seem that this text is just as important toward a better understanding of Lebanese and Middle Eastern government as it is a wake-up call to any government that does not give credit to it s people or treats them as clients.

Shanahan also aptly describes the effect of virtually forcing a minority group, such as Hizbullah into the shadows, therefore creating a militant group with no political representation.  Though it was after a time that this militant group and to a lesser extent, the Amal that did gain popularity and party status.  However, Shanahan does not employ scare tactics or any negative reference to Hizbullah, it can be gathered that when any group is oppressed for a long enough period of time, they will in turn revolt whether by non-violent or violent action.  To the outsider, who has only heard of Hizbullah from news reports, it is convenient that the author describes their history in a way that does not parallel the seemingly disorganized and chaotic way in which this group has been represented.

Though the theocratic system that is discussed in the text may seem alien to it s readers, Shanahan does well to order his chapters in such a succession that is easy to follow.  In The Shi a of Lebanon  Clans, Parties and Clerics Rodger Shanahan follows the Shi a from the clan system of the Zua ma to the party system of the Hizbullah and the Amal and then finally to the power of the clerics as knowledgeable leaders that continue to sustain the Shi a to the present day.  The book is also not subjective or leaning for or against theocracy or issues inherent with the mixture of church and state, Shanahan simply outlays a timeline that can be easily followed.  Though he does echo some very important sentiments in the introduction this being that the recognition or lack thereof of the Shi a and their political movement will shape the future of not only Lebanon, but the entirety of the Middle east.