Exploring both the historical origins of Syria's religious sects and their present-day dominance of the Syrian social scene, this book identifies these groups' distinct beliefs and relates how the actions of the religious authorities and political entrepreneurs acting on behalf of their particular sects expose them to sectarian violence, culminating in the dissolution of the nation-state. The author employs ethnographic accounts used in anthropology and conceptual tools based in economics to describe the formation of sectarian groups, a multidisciplinary approach which details how the sects have consistently generated civil conflicts within the Fertile Crescent, both before and after the formation of the nation-states of Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria.

Autorentext

Mark Tomass is Adjunct Professor at Harvard University Extension School, USA. His research focuses on civil conflict in the Middle East, organized crime, and monetary and credit crises. His writing draws from his experience as a native of Syria and from living through the Lebanese Civil War of 1975-90 and the Muslim Brothers' Revolt of 1976-82.

Zusammenfassung
Explores the historical origins of Syria's religious sects and their dominance of the Syrian social scene. It identifies their distinct beliefs and relates how the actions of the religious authorities and political entrepreneurs acting on behalf of their sects expose them to sectarian violence, culminating in the dissolution of the nation-state.

Inhalt

1. The Significance of Religious Identity
2. The Fertile Crescent Meets the Muslim Arabs
3. Formation of the Jewish Identity
4. Formation of Christian Sectarian Identities
5. Formation of Muslim Sectarian Identities
6. The Islamization of the Fertile Crescent
7. Social and Psychological Origins of Religious Conflict
8. The New Media and the Islamic Awakening
9. From the Arab Spring to the Revolt of the Sunna
10. The Remaking of the Fertile Crescent
11. Aleppo War Photos 2012-2014