The Transnational Party in Regional Politics: The Arab Baath Party
Author(s)
Dawisha, A. I.
Abstract
Analyzes the history, organizational structure, and recent trends in the Arab Baath (Resurrection) Party. Founded by Michel Aflaq and Salah Bitar following their return from France to Syria in 1940, the trans-state ideology of the Baath Party conceives of only one possible Arab nation state. The Baath considers the various Arab countries as nonsovereign, illegitimate, and artificial creations of old colonial powers. The party concentrated its organizational efforts on groups interested in modernizing Arab society, such as the army, students, urban professionals, and intellectual elites. It often merged with Arab socialist and Marxist political efforts. Baath political factions are still powerful in Syria and Iraq but face competition from militarists, Marxists, and devout Moslems. The Baath ideology is a secular doctrine for Arabs attempting to gain dominance in a culture which looks to Islam for legitimacy.
