HUMA215 -1504A -09 | Syria | | | 10/25/2015 |

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Syria is a country with extensive religious and political history. Throughout time Syria has had many governments before finally being governed by the Baath Party since 1963. The country also has deep roots within Christianity as well as becoming predominately Islamic. Religion is a large part of government being governed by Shai Alawite as of most recent, as well as family being in position to be in the government. Government has shaped the way Syrians live daily life but religion is where they draw their beliefs and customs from. The influence the government has had on the country is evident in the ways Syrians are treated. The authoritarian style governing has led to an uprising of citizens stemming the current civil war within the country. Syria has a history and culture deeply entwined with both religion and government.
Syria’s government has gone through numerous changes throughout history. Syria has been governed by different entities such as the Umayyad Dynasty and Ottoman Empire (1516-1918) as well as French influence under the French Mandate (1923−1946) and finally the Baath Party (1963–present). “The Arab Socialist Resurrection (Baath Party) took control after the Baath Revolution in 1963. ‘The Baath Party was formally founded in April of 1947, and membership was open to all from the Arab Fatherhood’.” (Devlin, 1991). Traditionally Syria was stratified with landowners and merchants having the highest political positions. The Baath party helped to change the stratifications by letting peasants move into the cities and join into the middle class, as well as helping to educate therefore growing a larger middle class.
Syria is a secular state and religion is generally determined by birth. “The first historical texts were produced in the sixth century, when the history of what would become the Syrian Orthodox Church began.” (Debié, 2009). St. Mark brought Christianity to Egypt during the first century, Christianity was the ascendant religion until the sixth century, when the Arabs arrived and Islam superseded it. “In the history of Christianity, Syria is associated with both the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul (who shaped modern Christianity).” (Flamini, 2013) It was said that St. Paul built the first Christian church in Antioch. With Christianity seeming to be indigenous to Syria as well as the Middle East, over the years Syria has become predominantly Islamic. Statistics show the religious affiliations in Syria currently as follows: “Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3%, Jewish (few remaining in Damascus and Aleppo)” (Central Intelligence Agency, n.d.).
Religion and government intertwine within Syria. Family importance is evident in politics and government. “Family loyalty is a primary consideration, and there is a general sentiment that family members (even distant relatives) can be trusted more than other people. The best jobs in the government generally are held by people related to the president, either of the same religious group or the same regional background or part of his extended family.” (Culture of Syria, n.d.). Ulama (religious teachers) were influential to the government by serving as political officials and advisers to the government. Albeit there is interest in politics most residents tend not to join political parties. More likely they are part of a component of a coalescence or organization predicated on family and religious values with possible political goals. Also while the legal system is mainly predicated on a French model with both civil and criminal courts, issues regarding birth, marriage, and inheritance, have different courts for people of different religions.
While different class lines coincide with racial differences (lighter-skinned people have high economic and political positions and darker-skinned people lower-ranked professions) people from different classes generally don’t socialize. Changes within the government, namely after the Baath Party took control, also changed the way class lines were divided. The Baath Party implemented measures to redistribute land ownership and set up organizations to give the lower classes control over their livelihoods. (Culture of Syria, n.d.) Dances and celebrations are typical at marriages or when a child is born. The specific types of dance or celebration may vary due to the different religious beliefs as the Syrian culture overall believes in the consequentiality of family and religion.
Throughout the years Syrian government has had considerable influential markers in the making of Syrian life. Governed under the Baath Party Syria is faced with authoritarianism rather than democracy. Though there is interaction with Syrian citizens and even an electoral process, the harsh reality is that the Syrian citizens do not have free choice or truly get a voice in how they are governed. Syrians are not allowed the freedom that others within a democracy have as well as there is no majority rule or protection of minority’s rights. Anderson (2013) said “the Asad regime has ruled not simply through fear and repression of political activity, but also by enforcing a culture of everyday cynicism.” There were certain expectancies of Syrian citizens “particularly under the former President Hafez al-Asad, as they were required to pretend to adulate the regime both at ritualized ceremonies and in the routines of everyday life.” (Anderson, 2013).
In recent years with political repression ever growing, the rapid growth of population, and an uneven economic structuring; unrest among lower and working class citizens rose. A “mid-decade outbreak of several localized sectarian/tribal conflicts (between Bedouin and Druze in Suwayda, and between Alawis and Ismailis in Masyaf ), which manifested an erosion of regime controls” (HINNEBUSCH, 2012) thus having citizens turn to sectarian and religious nobles rather than those of union officials or local party. Protest began to happen after teenagers were arrested and tortured for painting revolutionary statements on a wall. These protest called for President Assad’s resignation. The government’s use of force to disband protesters only fueled the movement more. This conflict began to increase with violence and turned into more than just a battle against President Assad; as it also pitted Sunni Muslims against the Shai Alawite sect. What started as a conflict of unrest has spawned into a civil war that continues to date.
History has shown both religious and political actions that have shaped Syria. Through different empires and dynasties Syria was governed by many before finally being governed by the Baath Party. Predominately Islamic Syria has been shown to be deeply rooted in Christianity with the first church being built in Antioch. Organized religion as well as family is a large part of government being governed by Shai Alawite. Customs are based on religious beliefs yet government exercises immense control on the day to day living of Syria. The authoritarian rule of the citizens is obvious in the lack of concern for lower to working class citizens. Currently Syrians a waring for the rights deserved of them equally. Syria is a country that has a history and culture shaped and impacted by government rule and religious connotations.
Anderson, P. (2013, September). The politics of scorn in Syria and the agency of narrated involvement. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Vol. 19(Issue 3), p463-481. 19p.
Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2015, from Central Intelligence Agency: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html
Culture of Syria. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2015, from Culture of Syria: http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Syria.html
Debié, M. (2009, June). Syriac Historiography and Identity Formation. Church History & Religious Culture, Vol. 89(Issue 1-3), p93-114.
Devlin, J. F. (1991). The Baath Party: Rise and Metamorphosis. American Historical Review, p1396. 12p.
Flamini, R. (2013, Nov/Dec). Forced Exodus. World Affairs, Vol. 176(Issue 4), p65-71. 7p.
Hinnebusch, R. (2012, January). International Affairs, Vol. 88 (Issue 1), p95-113. 19p.