Social, Racial, and Ethnic Class Structures
Syria has a diverse social structure based from its origins of being traditional and extremely stratified. As of the mid 1900’s, social classes generally did not interact with each other, and people within these classes were humble and accepting of their position in the system. Classes differed based on racial, religious, and ethnic differences. Lighter skinned people held higher economical and political positions while darker skinned people made up the majority of the lower class. Landowners are considered upper class and these people occupied high positions socially and politically. Dress is used to differential classes as the higher the social class, the better and more dressed up people are. Religious teachers are also influential in Syria, serving in high positions linked directly to the government.
Class structure changed in Syria following the 20th century Baath revolutions. With the instatement of the Assad regime, education was improved and a new middle class was formed. Land was redistributed from the previous upper-class owners into the hands of the lower class resulting in significant gains in their standard of living. Entrepreneurs and businessmen made fortunes in real estate, importing, and construction during the régime change and fed into the wealthier upper class.
As in other Middle Eastern countries, Syrian society has been divided into three discrete systems of organization based on ecological factors; these are the town, the village, and the tribe. The members of each of the three structural segments of society look on the others as socially different. This social distance is symbolized by recognized differences in clothing, food, home furnishings, accent, and customs.
21st Century Challenges and Opportunities
The Syrian Civil War is the main challenge facing Syria in the 21st century. The civil war is an ongoing armed conflict between forces loyal to the government and those seeking to overthrow it. The civil war began on March 15, 2011 and has no end in sight despite international recognition and interference in the conflict. Since the start of the conflict, the economy of Syria has shrunk 45 percent and unemployment has increased fivefold. Syria is in a state where human rights are being violated, illness is spreading, and death is eating at the nation. Although engaged with peace talks in Switzerland, Syria still is in a state of civil war. The gap between conflicting parties seems too great to be bridged despite a third peace talk approaching. Rebels are aiming at setting up a transitional administration that are committed to, and would oversee, the election of a new political leadership. Once the civil war has ended, Syria would have a lot to recover from in order to rebuilt their nation and access opportunities of the 21st century.
Works Cited
"Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Syria. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
"Syria." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
"Syria-STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY." Syria-STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY. N.p., Apr. 1987. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
Class structure changed in Syria following the 20th century Baath revolutions. With the instatement of the Assad regime, education was improved and a new middle class was formed. Land was redistributed from the previous upper-class owners into the hands of the lower class resulting in significant gains in their standard of living. Entrepreneurs and businessmen made fortunes in real estate, importing, and construction during the régime change and fed into the wealthier upper class. The Syrian Civil War is the main challenge facing Syria in the 21st century. The civil war is an ongoing armed conflict between forces loyal to the government and those seeking to overthrow it. The civil war began on March 15, 2011 and has no end in sight despite international recognition and interference in the conflict. Since the start of the conflict, the economy of Syria has shrunk 45 percent and unemployment has increased fivefold. Syria is in a state where human rights are being violated, illness is spreading, and death is eating at the nation. Although engaged with peace talks in Switzerland, Syria still is in a state of civil war. The gap between conflicting parties seems too great to be bridged despite a third peace talk approaching. Rebels are aiming at setting up a transitional administration that are committed to, and would oversee, the election of a new political leadership. Once the civil war has ended, Syria would have a lot to recover from in order to rebuilt their nation and access opportunities of the 21st century.
Works Cited
"Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Syria. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
"Syria." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
"Syria-STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY." Syria-STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY. N.p., Apr. 1987. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
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