Two Negations May Make a Nation

“Everything is for the best in the best of worlds,” said Voltaire satirically… but perhaps rightly.

In 1943, the modern version of Lebanon was born from a pact in which the Christians said NO to Western interference and the Muslims said NO to Arabic interference. At the time, journalist Michel Chiha prudently expressed his disbelief with his famous “two negations do not make a nation.”

It takes more than words to build a sound nation. It may take WARS, BLOOD AND A COMMON DESTINY.

But isn’t that precisely what has happened to Lebanon in the recent past? Wars, blood and a common destiny could be the cement needed to erect a solid structure like the one Switzerland is made of.

After so many years of common affliction, the Lebanese people, somewhere deep inside, feel closer to each other than ever before. Their fate appears now intrinsically linked, in life and in death, in happiness and in misery. It all started with two superficial negations. Add to that a bloody mixture of wars, shake well, and you may get some firm foundations.

Why? Probably because it’s human nature: in modern times, after experimenting with wars, people are discovering that in peace and solidarity they all gain. As Europe’s population grew, even the French, English and Germans have found a way to live peacefully side by side. Who could have imagined it?

Some of the signs that Lebanon’s diverse groups are coming closer together are quite visible, despite tensions provoked by irresponsible and egocentric leaders. The Christians and Sunnis were quick to help Shiite refugees during the latest tragedy.

The Christians can clearly see that the Shiites have produced, in spite of a religious connotation, a relatively modern party and military that kept in check the mighty Tsahal. Even Iran itself is flirting with modernity. And the Muslims can clearly see that the Christians’ middle class has evaporated, and their political privileges gone.

Nasrallah’s and Aoun’s followers, despite a sheep-like tendency not to question the pack leader, do have an encouraging dynamic and enthusiastic attitude. They want to rebuild nearly as fast as the Israelis destroyed. If their leaders were to recover some sanity, Lebanon would be in great shape.

Despite the skirmishes on the surface, Lebanon may have today the prerequisites for a stable nation. The people appear to be ready to accept each other. But the leaders aren’t rising above their irrelevant self interest. They could gain far more if they were to behave like great leaders who look for reward in their immortality rather than in quick, small and pointless advantages.