Authoritarianism and the Emergence of Parallel State Dynamics: Evidence From the Syrian Earthquake

IF 0.6 Q2 AREA STUDIES
Rahaf Aldoughli
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This article investigates the Syrian regime's strategic manipulation of the February 2023 earthquake to reaffirm its authority and maintain legitimacy. The regime's response to the disaster is analyzed to understand how authoritarian states leverage natural disasters for political gains. It argues that the Assad regime's survival is not merely about governance capabilities but about extending its infrastructural power and political decisions through co-opted civil society organizations. The earthquake highlighted the regime's fragile crisis management capabilities and its reliance on entities like the Syrian Trust for Development (STD) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), which function as quasi-state apparatuses. These organizations, under the guise of civil society, operate as extensions of state power, embodying a “parallel state” structure. Using theoretical frameworks from scholars like Beshara and Gramsci, the article explores the regime's tactics of control, hegemony, and parallelization. It critically examines the blurred lines between state and civil society, emphasizing the regime's manipulation of international aid and the consolidation of its authority in the aftermath of the earthquake. This study contributes to the broader conversation on authoritarian durability, highlighting the complex interactions between state apparatuses and civil society in times of crisis.

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来源期刊
CiteScore
0.90
自引率
25.00%
发文量
32
期刊介绍: DOMES (Digest of Middle East Studies) is a biennial refereed journal devoted to articles and reviews of topics concerning the Middle East. This encompasses Islam, the Arab countries, Israel, and those countries traditionally referred to as the Near East, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey. DOMES is intended for individuals, libraries, research centers, corporations and government offices with interests in the Middle East. The roster of authors and reviewers represents specialists from different religious, political, and subject backgrounds. The scope of materials published or reviewed covers all subjects originally published in English, European, or non-European languages, ranging from books and journals to databases, films, and other media. DOMES includes informational, creative, and critical literary efforts.
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