The Lebanon Idea of The Middle East

Lebanon’s Globalization Report

Economic Globalization of Lebanon surprisingly, functions and an assessment of a gross domestic product (GDP) is calculated. Like many countries rely on a good GDP, “as we understand it could simply not function without the formation sector and all the work paid and not paid, legal and illegal it constitutes. “ (Boyer 140) Lebanon in the mid 70’s GDP was 2.5 billion, 65% of DGP came from “trade and services.” “9% from agriculture, citrus fruits, vegetables, tobacco, livestock production 21% food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining.”

(Almanac 1979 Pg. 608)

Today Lebanon’s GDP which is the total value added up by its economy, plus taxes minus subsidies has a “GDP of 51 billion US Dollars 18,358 per capita, 4.6% agriculture ”which is a 5% decrease from the 70’s, 20% industry 1% increase. (Lebanon GDP & Economic Data) Lebanon very much increased its oil production. But, now also with a few road blocks, Lebanon may have to halt its reserves. “The boundaries of two of the blocs are disputed by Israel, though Lebanon maintains that they are well inside its waters.” (Carlin Torbey) Until Legislation can cut through the details Lebanon is not able to move on with the reserve extraction of the resources in those blocs. “The second piece of Legislation concerns the legal relationship between the state and the companies which won the bids to exploit the resources within each of the blocs.“

(Carlin Torbey) There has to be a way for Lebanon can adjust to globalization. If I has to throw everything out the window and start from scratch, well then be it.

If it’s not one thing impeding Lebanon’s advancement it’s another thing. Although, globalization is infiltrating the youth, no matter if the elders like it or not. The youth are very much looking for another way of advancing even if it has to join a global market. The youth are very much into their technology and it influences their everyday life. From music, to movies and cross country media it is making its way into Lebanon and the youth love it. Its intergrading idea’s within their community in which can extend outward, can this mean a pacifying peace between factions? Only time can tell if globalization and economic ideas will change for the better for Lebanon and if western influence will really take hold as the proper element for success. For sure western moral influence is not what they want, what is valued from the west is just economic business influence.

Western Influence around the Globe

Western Influence isn’t the most prized exchange in the Middle East, but Lebanon seems to be tolerating it. People of Lebanon are so diverse it is maybe just a normal change that is welcoming and not looked upon as a treat to their way of life. The people of Lebanon are so diverse they have three languages and most of Lebanese all speak English, French and Arabic.Beirut now has a workshop called (BDD) Beirut Digital District. “Students and Teachers learned about programming, robots, and sensors through their workshops. A few are: Lego education which provides educational tools that aim to make classrooms learning more fun; Little Bits; which make DIY electronic kits: and Scratch, a free programming language that allows anyone to make their own games.” (Stephanie Nehme) What we are seeing is educators are starting the young all around the world with the technology which is a form of globalization. As, an example, my son, who is in the 4thgrade, he along with class mates are using smart-board instead of a chalk board. They come to a desk in the front of the class, place their finger on a tablet and write a sentence, which then appears on a board for everyone to see. And they have a possibility to Skype students in Lebanon and share 4th grade ideas. I am so proud of the middle school students and all students that have the courage to go forward and take on a whole new form of learning and become “global” students.

Transnationalism in Lebanon is a political nightmare. It is resulting in more political battles on how the state should function. The economy is in a dormant state between a laissez-faire economics to free enterprise, but not without consequences. The Syrian conflict, has hurt Lebanon with the influx of more than 1 million Syrian refugees, it has increased internal tensions and slowed the economic growth.” (The World Factbook) These factions that control the government allow all this because it is made up of all mixed beliefs and factions, hence, making it hard to sway towards one idea towards foreign policy. And so, that being the case it makes it hard to have any foreign policy on investments in Lebanon. “Not” restricting “foreign investments:” will in turn produce “red tape.” (The World Factbook) Not to mention, the trickling down effects corruption which includes, “arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, fees, archaic legislation,” evidentially is how this started in the first place, and to conclude with the weak intellectual property rights.” (The World Factbook)

Globilization

Obviously transnationalism doesn’t help in foreign and domestic policies, what must be done? For 18 months Lebanon was making a comeback, but all went downhill after the “assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.” (Yakoub El Khazen)

What must be done in Lebanon today to bring its economy back is 4 fold answer.

One, it must become a more meritocracy government, and elect political leaders that have skill and/or trade in economics, chosen by educated people. And, with that, “new technology and reducing contact between employees and citizens to lower corruption, revamping the civil service, increasing productivity and eliminating inefficient budget-draining programs, which necessitates a stiff repression of corruption.“ (Yakoub El Khazen)

Two, Lebanon must have an economic development and growth plan “which would increase productivity and efficiency.” (Yakoub El Khazen) Oligopolies must cease in which Lebanon is notorious for. This is when only a few firms profit the most in a market let’s say concentrated on transportation. Other small firms operate in the market but are always staying stagnant and not advancing, only the few dominant in the field are. The World Bank Country Assistance must try to help these less fortunate companies which fall under SMEL’S .Small or Medium Enterprises (SME). The World Bank could help “promote economic growth” and “launch numerous projects across the country.” (Yakoub El Khazen)

Three, after the Lebanon Civil War the tax burden continues for reconstruction, although now it’s been 15 years. There must be reforms if the tax money wasn’t enough by now or has it been enough to reconstruct? The people deserve a tax break, regardless “Two waves of fiscal restructuring” has already happened and it’s been noticed that there is a tax burden on the backs of Lebanese. “The government must revise its tax policy” only then, we can see new investments that will ensure better rates, more investments and thusspark an economic change for the better. Muchlike presidential candidates of 2016 in the USA are proposing, lowering taxes spark economic growth, having the rich pay a little more, well that’s what Donald Trump thinks anyways. (Yakoub El Khazem)

Four and lastly, privatization can lead Lebanon in a globalized world. Privatizing Lebanon state-owned property to International Investors will lead to some foreign and domestic policies for Lebanon. This will accomplish short term goals.

1.“Attracts foreign and domestic investments and injects capital.”

2. “Develops capital markets”

3. Spark, “New technology and productivity”

4. “Lowers cost to domestic consumers”

5. “Promotes competiveness”

(Yakoub El Khazen)

In conclusion, if all four of these ideas are implemented in Lebanon more positive effects will outweigh the negative effects. It will not only lead to a greater globalization for Lebanon, but will revolutionize Lebanon to have a much more powerful position to create a strong foreign and domestic policy.

Work Cited

Time; The 1979 Hammond Almanac

Lebanon GDP & Economic Data, Global Finance, Class Editori, May 7 2014

www.gfmag.com/global-data/country-data/lebanon-gdp-country-report

Yakoub El Khazen, Lebanon must face up to its economic problems, De Khazen, Lebanon National Bloc

www.khazen.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=676

The World Factbook, Library, Central Intel. Agency, current

www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/fields/2116.html

Stephanie Nehme, New Initiative training Lebanese youth for the future, The Daily Star , TDS, April, 27 2015

www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Leba...

Carlin Torbey, Political impasse stops Lebanon exploiting oil resources, BBC, February 24 2015

www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-...

Blackboard/Huntington Clash OfCivilization. pdf (pg. 28)