Education, Identity and Conflict in Albania and Lebanon: A Comparative Study

Abstract:

It can be argued that the political landscapes of Albania and Lebanon are practically identical: both states emerged out of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire; the creation of both states was affected through the direct involvement of the great powers; both states have experienced direct outside military intervention; both states contain a Christian minority of different denominations while the Muslim majority is also diverse; both states are characterized by uneven economic development along geographic lines (plains versus mountains); the two states are comparable in size, population and geography; both states are overall ethnically homogenous (Albanians claim to be descendants of the ancient Illyrians while the Lebanese are Arabs and, or claim to be, descendants of the Phoenicians); and, finally, both states’ territory or parts of it has been or was claimed by more than one neighbouring states. One striking difference between the two countries, though, is that in the post-Second World War period, one experienced a prolonged and violent civil war while the other did not. Why would two states with nearly identical socio-economic variables experience different political outcomes? Would a comparison between the two states reveal the role specific variables play in promoting or preventing intra-state conflicts?