Political Economy and Governance in Syria: Insights from LSE Report Launch
Political Economy and Governance in Syria: Insights from LSE Report Launch
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03 June 2019 - London School of Economics, United Kingdom
The London School of Economics (LSE) hosted an event unveiling the much-anticipated report on "Political Economy and Governance in Syria". Organized by the Conflict and Civil Society Research Unit, the event shed light on the profound economic and governance transformations in Syria, overshadowed by the extreme violence of the past eight years.
Unveiling Deep Structural Transformations
The report, deriving from a conference held on 3 December 2018, at the LSE, offers an in-depth analysis of Syria's shifting landscape. It moves beyond the surface-level conflict narrative to examine the underlying economic and governance changes impacting the country.
Distinguished Panel of Experts
The event was chaired by Professor Mary Kaldor, Director of The Conflict and Civil Society Research Unit at LSE and Professor of Global Governance. A panel of esteemed experts, each bringing a unique perspective, contributed to a multifaceted discussion.
Insights from Rim Turkmani
Rim Turkmani, the Research Director for Syria on the Conflict Research Programme, presented a summary of the report's findings. Her insights provided a crucial overview of the complex interplay between Syria's political and economic realms.
Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj's Analysis
Mr. Hallaj, our expert (pre-LUGARIT), offered a compelling discussion on the political economy of Syria’s constitution. He explored how the UN-led Geneva process's proposals for new political institutions and power-sharing would influence Syria's political dynamics. Mr. Hallaj emphasized the socio-economic transformations during the conflict and their lasting impacts on local and national elites. His analysis highlighted the challenges a new constitution must navigate in a post-conflict political economy.
To read more about Mr. Hallaj's contribution, please refer to the conference's publication "Political Economy and Governance in Syria".
Mahmoud Ramadan's Perspective
Completing the panel, Mahmoud Ramadan, the manager of Playmaker consultancy, presented his perspective on why the humanitarian paradigm in Syria needs to be transformed.
A Path Forward
The LSE report launch served not only as a platform for presenting research but also as a catalyst for critical discussions on Syria's future. The insights from the event emphasize the importance of understanding the nuanced political and economic dynamics at play, essential for shaping informed and effective policies in post-conflict Syria.
Related Publication
Related Publication
Date: March 2019
Publisher: LSE – London School of Economics
Summary of 2 presentations at the LSE conference highlight the complexities of property rights and urban planning laws in post-conflict Syria, emphasizing the challenges in housing and land management, and discussing the political economy of local elections, noting their role in reinforcing the regime's patronage network, rather than promoting fair representation or democracy.
Header Photo
Port of Latakia. 23 June 2008. Photo © Fadi Shahin - via Wikimedia Commons. Link >
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