"This is the first comprehensive study of Hizbullah that addresses the historical dynamics of its emergence, its ideology, leadership, organizational structure, and operational policies toward Israel and within the Lebanese political system. The very few articles and monographic studies that exist focus on the externalities and militant actions of Hizbullah. This book, on the other hand, uniquely explores Hizbullah ‘from the inside out,’ providing readers with a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Hizbullah’s multifaceted organs and activities as well as the causes of its phenomenal success as a fighting organization, as a political party, and as a philanthropic agency."—R. H. Dekmejian, author of Islam in Revolution: Fundamentalism in the Arab World
"Of all the studies of Hizbullah that I have read in Arabic, English, or French, this book is by far the most informative and analytical. . . . The author provides a wealth of new and original information. If you read one book about Hizbullah, read this one. It is by far the best source on the subject."—As‘ad Abukhalil, author of The Battle for Saudi Arabia: Royalty, Fundamentalism, and Global Power
Description
Of the many Islamist groups that have emerged within the Muslim world over the last two decades, perhaps none has had so great an impact on Middle Eastern and International affairs as Hizbullah, the Party of God. This group of mainly Lebanese Shìte Muslims gained both infamy and fame by its resort to militancy mixed with political pragmatism in the pursuit of its goals. The oscillation between these two extremes has left most scholars and policymakers perplexed.
This book serves as a pathway for understanding not only Hizbullah but also for other Islamist groups and their challenges to contemporary politics. Hamzeh examines the Hizbullah of Lebanon through a structural analysis using original and archival sources. Based on a constructed theoretical framework from a number of theories on crisis conditions, leadership, political parties and guerrilla warfare, In the Path of Hizbullah stands alone in its qualitative and quantitative treatment of one of the most complex contemporary Islamist organizations and provides a view of the party’s future.
About the Author
Ahmad Nizar Hamzeh is associate professor of political science at the American University of Beirut. He is the author of many journal articles on Islamic movements and coauthor (in Arabic) of The 1998 Lebanese Municipal Elections. His teaching and research interests include political theory and methodology, Islamic politics, and international law.
Series: Modern Intellectual and Political History of the Middle East
6 x 9, 0 pages, 20 black and white illustrations
December 2004