Policy Press
Six Social solidarity: between power and morality
Abstract
This chapter discusses the question: how does religious affiliation shape the conceptualisation of social cohesion and solidarity in Lebanon? It provides an in-depth analysis of the power dynamics that define the social policy in Lebanon, which inclines towards an elitist and paternalist approach to policy making. The first section of the chapter explores the meaning of the social in the context of the Lebanon case study. The second section explores how the social order in Lebanon is built on two pillars: morality and power. The third section probes the concept of social exclusion and its relevance to the Lebanese context. The fourth section provides an analytical model based on the social reproduction framework by illustrating the way in which social cohesion in Lebanon works. The fifth section presents key conclusions on the nature of social cohesion in Lebanon and its role in policy.
Abstract
This chapter discusses the question: how does religious affiliation shape the conceptualisation of social cohesion and solidarity in Lebanon? It provides an in-depth analysis of the power dynamics that define the social policy in Lebanon, which inclines towards an elitist and paternalist approach to policy making. The first section of the chapter explores the meaning of the social in the context of the Lebanon case study. The second section explores how the social order in Lebanon is built on two pillars: morality and power. The third section probes the concept of social exclusion and its relevance to the Lebanese context. The fourth section provides an analytical model based on the social reproduction framework by illustrating the way in which social cohesion in Lebanon works. The fifth section presents key conclusions on the nature of social cohesion in Lebanon and its role in policy.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- Acknowledgements vi
- List of Arabic words with English translations vii
- List of abbreviations viii
- Map of the Middle East ix
- Introduction: religion and social policy – an “old–new” partnership 1
- Religion and the foundations of social policy 25
- Lebanon: a profile of political and welfare institutions 69
- A philosophy of social service: faith or social insurance? 85
- Systems of provision and welfare outcomes: defining and treating the causes of poverty 139
- Social solidarity: between power and morality 195
- Social ethics and welfare particularism 223
- What next for the Middle East? Re-reading history, re-visioning future possibilities of positive action 251
- Conclusion 261
- Bibliography 269
- Appendix A: Lebanon country profile 299
- Appendix B: Social protection institutions and coverage 301
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of tables and figures v
- Acknowledgements vi
- List of Arabic words with English translations vii
- List of abbreviations viii
- Map of the Middle East ix
- Introduction: religion and social policy – an “old–new” partnership 1
- Religion and the foundations of social policy 25
- Lebanon: a profile of political and welfare institutions 69
- A philosophy of social service: faith or social insurance? 85
- Systems of provision and welfare outcomes: defining and treating the causes of poverty 139
- Social solidarity: between power and morality 195
- Social ethics and welfare particularism 223
- What next for the Middle East? Re-reading history, re-visioning future possibilities of positive action 251
- Conclusion 261
- Bibliography 269
- Appendix A: Lebanon country profile 299
- Appendix B: Social protection institutions and coverage 301
- Index 303
