• DOI:10.1080/00263208908700793
• Corpus ID: 143250254

The Alawi capture of power in Syria

@article{Pipes1989TheAC,
  title={The Alawi capture of power in Syria},
  author={Daniel Pipes},
  journal={Middle Eastern Studies},
  year={1989},
  volume={25},
  pages={429-450}
}

• Daniel Pipes
• Published 1 October 1989
• Political Science
• Middle Eastern Studies

For many centuries, the Alawis were the weakest, poorest, most rural, most despised and most backward people of Syria. In recent years, however, they have transformed themselves into the ruling elite of Damascus. Today, Alawis dominate the government, hold key military positions, enjoy a disproportionate share of the educational resources, and are becoming wealthy. How did this dramatic change occur? When did the Alawis manage to escape their traditional confines, and what was the mechanism of their rise?