New publication/ The political economic context of Syria’s reconstruction: a prospective in light of a legacy of unequal development

MEDirections is delighted to share the first research project report from our War and Post-Conflict in Syria project (WPCS). WPCS provides operational and strategic analysis to policy makers and programmers concerning prospects, challenges, trends, and policy options with respect to the conflict and post-conflict Syria.

The paper (in English) is available here.

The political economic context of Syria’s reconstruction: a prospective in light of a legacy of unequal development

by Joseph Daher

What will be the reconstruction dynamics in Syria? What economic policies did the Syrian government adopt in the decade prior to the uprising? And how did the war transform the political economy of Syria, by considering the effects of destruction on the country’s economic structure?

This paper observes the possible scenarios and prospects based on the conflict’s current dynamics to consider new lines of research in the near future in relation to the topic of the war economy and the reconstruction process. Just as the war and its destruction have been used by the regime to intensify neoliberal policies and secure further political power, the way that reconstruction is shaped is another opportunity by which those in power will seek to extend their political and economic domination of Syria.

 

Keywords

Syria; Reconstruction; War economy; Neo-liberalism; Political economy