WHOSE GOVERNMENT AND WHAT LAW? A POLITICAL SOCIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF CORRUPTION IN LEBANON AND ITS EFFECT ON GOVERNMENT, LEGALITY, AND THE PEOPLE by Ann-Marie Helou A thesis submitted to the Department of Sociology In conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario, Canada (June 2019) Copyright ©Ann-Marie Helou, 2019 Abstract Levels of corruption in Lebanon are at an all-time high. According to the Transparency International Index, Lebanon ranks 143rd out of 180 in level of corruption (with 180 being the worst). The citizens are also disenchanted with the high levels of political corruption. A survey by Transparency International found that 67% of individuals though that “most” or “all” individuals working in the public sector are corrupt. Clearly, corruption is a pervasive problem in Lebanon. This thesis is about political corruption and how it undermines the structure of government, the rule of law, and the socio-cultural landscape in the Republic of Lebanon. Detailed research on how the rule of law is undermined by corruption is lacking, particularly in the literature about Lebanon. Through nine in-depth interviews with members of the political elite, as well as high-ranking legal and government-related figures, I aim to understand how corruption undermines the societal institutions such as government and law in Lebanon and how, in turn, this impacts citizen interaction with these institutions. The results can be divided into two sections. The first result section addresses how the political elites use their position to engage in corruption and weaken the institution of government. This chapter also addresses how corruption influences citizens’ relationships with government. There are six key themes in this chapter: political self-interest, nepotism, clientelism, sectarianism, transparency, and distrust of government. The second result section analyses how the legal system is manipulated by the political elites to engage in corrupt behaviours, and how this manipulation renders legal institutions weak and inefficient. This chapter addresses how corruption undermines the rule of law, particularly in the eyes of the population. Finally, the thesis ends with a discussion of how all these themes intersect across politics and law. ii Acknowledgements First and foremost, I’d like to thank the individuals who took the time to sit down and talk to me while I was in Lebanon. Thank you to those who helped me get connections. My biggest and most heartfelt thanks go out to you. This project would be nothing without you. Above all, I’d like to give my infinite thanks to Dr. David Murakami-Wood and Dr. Fiona Kay for being the two most engaging, empathetic and helpful supervisors. It has been an honour and a pleasure to learn from and work with two people as brilliant as you. I hope one day I can pay it forward and emulate the professionalism, knowledge and helpfulness you have shown me. To the broader Queen’s Faculty, your support throughout this programme has made all the difference! To Dr. Jason Carmichael, I thank you for making me the sociologist I am today. Your guidance and mentorship throughout my undergrad and my time at Queen’s had a direct impact on what I produced and continue to do. I look forward to reuniting with you for my PhD. To my family in Lebanon, thank you for helping me with this project. Particularly Tracy Bou- Farhat who drove me around and sat with me all summer. Words will never be able to truly capture how much that meant to me. Cadet Stephanie Helou who went to bookstores to get me recommendations on the best historical accounts of Lebanon available. I can’t wait to have you as my pilot as I (hopefully) attend conferences. I’d like to thank my mother, Nayla Cachecho, for always supporting me and giving me the opportunity and strength to undertake this program and complete it. My sister, Rita Helou, for her constant positivity. My cat Tom for being the best work companion. I’d like to thank Celina Caswell and Michelle Underhill for being the two kindest and funniest individuals in the department. The long days at the office where made bearable and fun thanks to you. To Martine Rondeau, thank you for your amazing support through the writing process and year. You are the most supportive, intelligent, warmest and kindest individual. I’m convinced the only reason I stayed sane is because of you, my lobster. To the most amazing roommate and friend, Julie Jackson, the following link can only truly capture what an amazing year we had: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OX8JtJffWo. Thank you to Leora Boussand-Nadler Andrea Salas, Tyler DeJesus and Isobel McShane for your constant and unwavering faith. Thank you all for everything. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... iii List of Abbreviations and Political Definitions ........................................................................................... vi Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 The Government of Lebanon .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Political Sociology vs Political Science .............................................................................................. 4 1.3 The Structure of the Thesis ................................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 2 Literature Review ......................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Theoretical Frameworks ..................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Political Framework ..................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.2 Economic Framework ................................................................................................................ 11 2.1.3 Legal Framework ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.1.4 Socio-Cultural Framework ......................................................................................................... 18 2.2 The Globalization of Corruption ....................................................................................................... 21 2.3 Corruption in the Middle East and North Africa .............................................................................. 23 2.3.1 Political Issues of Corruption in the MENA Region ................................................................. 25 2.3.2 Economic Issues of Corruption in the MENA Region ............................................................... 27 2.3.3 At the Crossroads of Politics and Economics ............................................................................ 29 2.3.4 Corruption and Law ................................................................................................................... 30 2.3.5 Citizen Perception of Corruption ............................................................................................... 31 2.4 Corruption in Lebanon ...................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 3 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 43 3.1.1 Sample and Sampling Technique ............................................................................................... 44 3.1.2 Qualitative Interviewing ............................................................................................................ 45 3.1.3 Before the Interview................................................................................................................... 46 3.1.4 During the Interview .................................................................................................................. 46 3.1.5 After the Interview ..................................................................................................................... 47 3.1.6 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 47 3.1.7 Changes Between the Grids ....................................................................................................... 48 3.1.8 Strengths and Weaknesses ......................................................................................................... 49 Chapter 4 Political Corruption and the Undermining of Government ........................................................ 51 Chapter 5 Corruption and the Legal System ............................................................................................... 66 iv Chapter 6 Discussion and Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 79 6.1 Connecting the Political, Legal and Social: A Discussion of the Results ........................................