Corruption and New Insights in Lebanon

*Josiane Fahed-Sreih*

#### **Abstract**

This research study aims to provide new insights into the issue of corruption in Lebanon by examining its impact on various sectors of the country, the role of the government in tackling corruption, and the effectiveness of current anticorruption measures. Lebanon is ranked 149th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. To achieve the research objectives, we adopted a mixed-methods approach that involved both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Specifically, we conducted an online questionnaire that received responses from a diverse sample of Lebanese citizens, including government officials, business leaders, and the general public. We also conducted interviews with key stakeholders, including representatives from civil society organizations and government agencies. The study's findings reveal that corruption has a significant impact on the country's economy, businesses, electricity, and pollution levels. The study also highlights the challenges faced by the government in effectively addressing corruption and the limitations of current anti-corruption measures. Based on our analysis, we provide policy recommendations that can help improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in Lebanon.

**Keywords:** corruption, new insights, economic crisis, pollution, government, politics, electricity, inflation

#### **1. Introduction**

Located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, covering 10,452 km2 of the globe, Lebanon is an Arabic country, well known for its temperate temperature, huge diversity, natural wonders, and historical monuments.

But, unfortunately, nowadays Lebanon is among the most corrupted countries in the world, ranking (149) in 2022. To better understand what led Lebanon to this enormous crisis, we should first look at the country's recent history and political situation.

At the end of the First World War, Lebanon who was occupied by the Ottoman Empire, became mandated by France. The mandate ended in 1943, at the end of the Second World War as the independence of Lebanon was decelerated.

Following that, in 1975, a massive full-scale civil war broke out in Lebanon. This conflict that was mainly caused by the huge religious diversity in Lebanon destroyed Lebanon over fifteen years causing a heavy loss of human life and devastated the country's economy. It ended in 1990 with what was called the Taif Agreement, officially known as the National Reconciliation Accord, which constitutes the constitution of Lebanon from 1990 until now. One of the items of this agreement was a time frame for withdrawal of Syrian military forces from Lebanon, which was 2 years, but Syria did not remove their forces until 2005.

The main aim of the Taif Agreement was to formulate the "mutual existence" between Lebanon's different religion and parties, and their political representation. However, this agreement was too fragile to constitute the basis of peace in the country, leading to several conflicts, as Lebanon became a vehicle for self-enrichment by the political class, which made the country nowadays one the most corrupted countries worldwide.

To maintain peace among the eighteen various religious communities, especially after a 15-year civil war, political power was split proportionally among these sects, resulting in a sectarian system.

As a result of this separation, several groups have made room for more political power, resulting in significant levels of corruption and a clientelist system. As a result of this separation, several groups have seized the opportunity to gain more political power, resulting in significant levels of corruption and a clientelist system.

In Lebanon, corruption is considered a pervasive problem. According to Transparency International [1], Lebanon is now rated 149th out of 180 nations in the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 25 out of a possible one hundred. Indeed, according to the same organizations study [1], "Lebanon notably dropped on the CPI, dropping five points since 2012, with a score of 25." Despite popular demonstrations, no substantial investigations or prosecutions of public officials have taken place."

This chapter will have several sections namely an extensive literature review, research design and methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and future research.

A research study was conducted for this literature. The methodology involved administering a questionnaire to study the history and effects of corruption in Lebanon, with a total of 60 collected responses, of which 58 are considered reliable and valid. The questionnaire had 22 questions in total, including demographic, polar, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions. The questions analyzed the perspective of Lebanese people on corruption based on facts and historical dates. The questionnaire was administered online to Lebanese residing in Lebanon, specifically university students. The data was collected and analyzed online. The study used quantitative and qualitative analysis to analyze the characteristics of corruption in Lebanon.

The main results of the study focus on corruption in Lebanon and categorize questions into four groups: government, economy and business, electricity, and pollution. The results show that corruption has a significant impact on the economy and business sector in Lebanon, with political instability and corruption being the main reasons for businesses refraining from investing. Corruption is also prevalent in the government, with respondents believing that all three branches are to be held responsible. Electricity and pollution are also major issues, with corruption being a significant factor in both. The study reveals that there is a high level of skepticism and distrust in political parties and government institutions in Lebanon.
