NCJ Number
67291
Date Published
1978
Length
34 pages
Annotation
ELEMENTS OF KINSHIP, POLITICAL ORGANIZATION, AND ECONOMICS WHICH MODIFY AND CONSTRAIN DISPUTE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED FOR A MULTIRELIGIOUS LEBANESE VILLAGE.
Abstract
SHEHAAM, UNLIKE NEIGHBORING VILLAGES, WHICH ARE PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM, HAS A MIXED CHRISTIAN AND SHIA MUSLIM POPULATION. EVERY VILLAGER IS A MEMBER OF FIVE LEVELS OF COMMUNITY: (1) THE PRIMARY RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, (2) THE SECONDARY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION (CHRISTIAN OR MUSLIM), (3) THE VILLAGE, (4) THE REGIONAL COMMUNITY (VILLAGES BOUND TOGETHER BY LOCATION), AND (5) INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS OR FOREIGNERS. THE FAMILY IS THE FIRST SOURCE OF SOCIAL IDENTITY. THE FIVE LEVELS OF COMMUNITY INCORPORATE THE FAMILY OF EACH VILLAGER. IN SHEHAAM, THERE ARE TWO ELECTED MAYORS, ONE REPRESENTING THE CHRISTIANS AND THE OTHER THE MUSLIMS. EACH MAYOR IS INVOLVED IN THE PEACEKEEPING AND MEDIATION PROCEDURES WITHIN THE VILLAGE AND REGION. INFORMANTS REPORT THAT INTERRELIGIOUS CONFLICT IS THE MOST SERIOUS THREAT TO VILLAGE UNITY. VILLAGERS TRY TO RESOLVE SUCH CONFLICTS THROUGH VILLAGE MEDIATION EFFORTS WITHOUT PARTICIPATION BY OFFICIAL OUTSIDE AUTHORITIES, SUCH AS THE POLICE AND EXTERNAL CODES OF LAW. SUCH FORMAL MECHANISMS ARE VIEWED AS NOT ONLY PERPETUATING HOSTILITIES THROUGH HARSH SANCTIONS BUT AS TOO RESTRICTIVE IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF EVIDENCE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE RELEVANT TO A DISPUTE. ALTHOUGH DISPUTES WITH PERSONS OR GROUPS OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE MAY BE MEDIATED THROUGH THE PERSONAL SUPPORT GROUPS OF THE INVOLVED PARTIES, THEY MAY ALSO BE HANDLED BY THE POLICE OR COURTS. TABULAR DATA AND NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)