AI Says...
The Lebanese diaspora is a significant economic and political force worldwide, holding substantial financial assets and influential positions across continents. Yet, this community is marked by a profound dichotomy: on one hand, an undeniable attachment to their roots and an emotional investment in Lebanese culture; on the other hand, an apparent inability to commit substantial resources toward rebuilding and stabilizing their homeland, Lebanon. This contrast is all the more striking as the diaspora continues to celebrate Beirut's dynamism as the festive capital of the Middle East, despite the increasingly deteriorated state of what should be their nation.
The Economic Weight of the Diaspora: A Power Beyond Lebanon's Borders
The Lebanese diaspora represents a formidable economic power on a global scale. Their cumulative assets are estimated at several hundred billion dollars, drastically contrasting with Lebanon's GDP, which was around 20 billion USD in 2023. In comparison, the GDP of many countries benefiting from Lebanese diaspora investments, especially in Africa and Latin America, sometimes far exceeds that of Lebanon, despite a partial dependence on this same diaspora.
Mexico, for instance, saw the rise of Carlos Slim, one of the world’s wealthiest men, who is of Lebanese descent. With an empire spanning telecommunications, infrastructure, and finance, Slim amassed a fortune exceeding 60 billion dollars—three times Lebanon’s GDP. Other influential figures such as Jacques Saadé, founder of CMA CGM, one of the largest maritime transport companies, and Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of Renault and Nissan, also share Lebanese origins.
In many cases, this diaspora holds a substantial share of the economy in regions such as West Africa and the Gulf countries. In West Africa, influential Lebanese families control essential sectors, from the distribution of basic goods to banking services. Figures like Issam Fares (former Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister) and Nicolas Boukather have played key roles in the economic development of several African countries.
Global Political Influence and Historical Ambivalence
The Lebanese influence extends beyond economics to politics, reaching the highest levels. Several international leaders come from this diaspora, including Carlos Menem, former president of Argentina, and Jamil Mahuad, former president of Ecuador. Their political careers are a reminder of the Lebanese diaspora's ability to integrate and establish themselves on the world stage. In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, Lebanese professionals also hold key positions in engineering, commerce, and financial services, influencing pivotal sectors.
However, this integration has paradoxically contributed to distancing these personalities from Lebanon's internal affairs. Since gaining independence, Lebanon has suffered from political instability, foreign interventions, and internal conflicts, leading hundreds of thousands of Lebanese to seek a more stable life abroad. This sense of "dual allegiance" has been reinforced by recurring wars and crises. For many, Lebanon has become an idea, a culture, and a memory rather than a nation on which to invest sustainably.
Beirut, Capital of Celebration: An Escape Amid Ruins
Despite the economic and political crisis plaguing the country, Beirut remains a vibrant nightlife and entertainment hub for the diaspora, who flock there every summer to enjoy the lively ambiance of the capital. From luxurious nightclubs to renowned restaurants, Beirut remains a city of festivity and luxury for those who can afford it, sharply contrasting with the living conditions of residents who face electricity shortages, lack of medical care, and rampant inflation.
This cultural "schizophrenia" can be explained by a desire to identify with Beirut's prestige and energy while avoiding the country's deeper issues. The Lebanese diaspora, by celebrating Beirut’s charms, often skirts the severity of the country’s situation, as confronting it would call into question part of their own identity. For some, Beirut is no longer a capital where one could settle but an "exotic destination" allowing for a temporary reconnection with a part of themselves, without engaging in the harsh realities of Lebanese daily life.
At the Roots of a Paradox: A History of Resilience and Disconnection
Lebanon's history has shaped this paradoxical relationship. Since the Ottoman Empire, Lebanese people have had a long migratory tradition. Successive wars, particularly the civil war from 1975 to 1990, also encouraged mass departures. Lebanese who have prospered abroad adapted well to their new environments while maintaining a cultural attachment to Lebanon. However, this attachment has not translated into reconstruction efforts, partly due to distrust of successive, corrupt, and ineffective governments, and partly out of fear that the country can no longer offer stable opportunities.
Today, despite economic and political resources far exceeding those of many countries, the Lebanese diaspora remains ambivalent about its role in Lebanon's renewal. While excelling worldwide, they watch from a distance as their country deteriorates, torn between melancholy and resignation. Future generations of this diaspora, increasingly detached from their roots, risk seeing Lebanon not as a homeland but as a collective memory, remembered during summer celebrations in Beirut, far from daily concerns.
Thus, the Lebanese diaspora continues to balance on the edge of this "schizophrenia," between cultural pride and practical detachment, until the day Lebanon, perhaps, rises again with the direct involvement of its far-flung children.
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