The Syrian Crisis: A Protracted Social Conflict? Cover Image

The Syrian Crisis: A Protracted Social Conflict?
The Syrian Crisis: A Protracted Social Conflict?

Author(s): Emirhan Kaya
Subject(s): Military history, Political history, Government/Political systems, Political behavior, Politics and religion, Politics and society, Studies in violence and power, Nationalism Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: Trakya Üniversitesi - İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi
Keywords: Syria; Civil War; Protracted Social Conflict; Edward Azar’s Theory;

Summary/Abstract: Since the Syrian conflict has been going on for over ten years, it is often stated that the civil war in that country became protracted or intractable. In addition, the emphasis on the sectarian dimension of the conflict draws attention to the social and religious structure of the Syrian population. In spite of these characteristics of the conflict, the Syrian civil war has been rarely associated with Edward Azar’s theory of protracted social conflict (PSC). This paper tries to explain the Syrian civil war with the theory of PSC that presents a multi-dimensional approach. Thus, it is argued that a crisis of legitimacy that stems from socio-economic and sectarian imbalances triggered the civil war in Syria.

  • Issue Year: 12/2021
  • Issue No: 22
  • Page Range: 1-17
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English