State Atrophy in Syria

Examines institutional and socio-cultural transformations throughout the Syrian conflict Fills substantial gaps in the literature on Syria regarding state atrophy, covering both institutional and social-cultural formulations Focuses on the five distinct and most consequential aspects of state atrophy during the Syrian conflict: state capture, proliferation and devolution of violence, ethno-religious subjectivities and sectarianisation, the expansion of the religious field and Civilian-led community protection efforts Responds to the need for a synthesis of emergent scholarship as well as developments over the course of the conflict Traces patterns of continuity and change in state-society relations before and throughout the conflict, and identifies their implications for the future of Syria Based on primary sources and original data How do governments contribute to galvanising public hostility against state institutions? And what are the consequences of undermining the state as a strategy for political change? State Atrophy in Syria highlights how the appropriation of state institutions by public officials limits public capacity to demand accountability from government without having to challenge the state or its institutions. This creates consequential trade-offs for the public. As the Syrian case demonstrates, the undermining of state institutions failed to depose the dictatorship, continuously benefitted Assad's foreign allies, Russia and Iran, and engendered unprecedented levels of predatory practices against the public. As Syria continues to play a strategic role on the world's political stage, the book outlines the country's tragic decade and derives lessons for state-society relations in Syria and beyond.