Abstract:
In the 1970s, Hafiz Assad reconstructed the political authority, exercised economic adjustment, broadened the political base, integrated social powers and strengthened the political identification. Such measures made Syria realize its political stability out of the decrepit political authority and instability which it had experienced since its independence in 1946. In the 1980s, Syria returned to stability after economic difficulties, conflicts between political and religious powers and struggles among political powers. In the 1990s, Syria was confronted with the dual pressures from economic liberalism and political democratization. Due to the minority al’Alawiyyun’s dictatorship, the deterioration of Assad’s health, the succession crisis caused by his eldest son’s sudden death, the state governance and the social control of Assad’s political system were decreased sharply.Bashar Assad’s succession to his father further weakened the legitimacy of Assad’s political system and its social control power.
