The Endangered Classical Liberal Tradition in Lebanon: A General Description and Survey Results

Dr. Patrik Mardini

Econ Journal Watch, 12(2), 242-259, May 2015

Classical liberal analysis has dwindled in Lebanon after a long and vibrant tradition of laisser faire economic policy that lasted for many centuries, peaking in the period 1943 to 1975. Today, a sectarian-political regime, clientelistic public spending, clientelistic public employment, political patronage of public institutions, and statutory monopoly schemes are deep-rooted and have replaced the rationale of private initiative and economic freedom …read more