Why Partition Deepens Lebanon’s Sectarian Divisions

Summary

In r/Lebanon, this announcement argues that partition and living exclusively within one’s own community can intensify conflict over small differences. It points to Lebanon’s 18 sects and the close similarities between Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholics to question whether further segregation would worsen existing divisions.

Partition is how we got here in the first place

The more you live exclusively within your own community, the more you're going to fight over small differences. It’s actually a studied phenomenon called the "narcissism of small differences."

​Lebanon has 18 sects in part because identical people couldn't tolerate living together and decided to segregate. For example, Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholics are nearly identical, except for their allegiance to Rome.

​Now, let's have Maronites, Sunnis, Shias, etc., live exclusively among their own in an even smaller territory and you’re going to see a mental breakdown worse than the current one.
Post Author: /u/Sylvain-Occitanie
Content Warning: None

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