College Honors Program
Building Loyalty: Hezbollah’s Hybrid Nature of Social Services & Military Warfare in an Unstable Lebanon
Date of Creation
5-17-2024
Document Type
Campus Access Only
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Vickie Langhor
Abstract
Hezbollah is a political party that represents Shia Muslims in Lebanon and has deployed violence against U.S. soldiers, the state of Israel, and civilians in multiple countries since its founding in 1982. This thesis asks: how does Hezbollah win supporters and mobilize them to gain political influence in Lebanon? Historically, the Lebanese Shia are considered among the most marginalized groups in the country. Drawing on the work of authors including Melanie Cammett and Ora Szekely, I argue that extensive service provision, particularly but not only to Shia communities, is a key reason for Hezbullah’s popularity. The organization is also renowned for its anti-Israeli position, allowing it to receive support from Lebanese citizens, not exclusively Shia Muslims. This thesis also details the role that Iranian guidance, money, and arms have played in Hezbullah's social service and military wings. It concludes with an application to other insurgent groups with a political and service wing, such as the Tamil Tigers and Hamas.
Recommended Citation
Nassif, Rea, "Building Loyalty: Hezbollah’s Hybrid Nature of Social Services & Military Warfare in an Unstable Lebanon" (2024). College Honors Program. 123.
https://crossworks.holycross.edu/honors/123