The Ba'th and the Creation of Modern Syria (RLE Syria) [Paperback]

This book traces the development of modern Syria focusing on the contribution of the Bath party and Bathist ideology. It examines the roots of the Bath in the intellectual ferment of the 1940s and charts its growing influence on Syrian politics. Special attention is devoted to the crucial Sixth Congress of the Bath Party in 1963 and the key ideological document, the Muntalaqat, produced by Michel Aflaq. After 1963 the military became increasingly dominant until Hafiz al-Asad came to power in 1970. Since then the Party has been less dominant internally but Syria itself has established a pivotal position in regional affairs. The book concludes by reviewing the prospects for Syria after Asad and the potential for a Bathist revival.

1. Introduction  2. The Birth of Bathist Ideology  3. The Alaouites  4. Coups and Politics 1947-58  5. Union with Egypt 1958-61  6. The Bath in Power  7. Bathist Doctrine  8. The Structure of the Bath  9. Internal Conflicts 1963-70  10. A Short Balance Sheet  11. Hafiz al-Asad  I  12. Hafiz al-Asad  II  13. Conclusions  14. The Future  Appendix A. Chronology of the Bath in Iraq  Appendix B. Special Preface to the Constitutionof the Party  Appendix C. SyriaIran  Appendix D. The Syrian Bath Party