Abstract
This paper provides an outline of the major tennets of the Druze sect, an offshoot of Suffist Islam. It focuses on the differences beween Druze beliefs and mainstream Islamic orthodoxy. The survial of the sect is shown to be a product of the exclusive non-conversional approach and the defensive strength of their traditional homeland. The paper includes a brief summary of origins, an encapsulated history and a progonois for future survival.

From the Paper
"This paper shall outline the major tennets of the Druze variation of Islamic faith and present an explanation as to how the sect has survived and why it's teachings did not attain a much wider adherence. Conclusions are based on the factors that fostered Druze independance over the years and what can be expected for the sect, in the future. Druze's marginal social presence throughout history. Throughout the history of the Middle East, many sect-type religions have come into existence, but only a few prevailed and maintained a social presence throughout history. Among these sect-type religious movements,..."

Tags:sects, druze, islam

From the Paper
" DRUZE
This research paper traces the origins, history and development of the Druze, a people with a distinctive religion and culture in the Middle East, primarily in present day Lebanon and Syria, who have struggled, by and large successfully, to maintain their separate identity and way of life in the face of various political, religious and military threats since the early 11th century A.D.

Origins
As of 1988, there were a little less than one million Druze in the world, divided as follows: Lebanon 390,000 (10 percent of the population), Syria 420,000 (three percent), Israel 75,000 (one percent), Jordan 15,000 and about 80,000 scattered throughout Africa, the Americas, Australia and South and East.."

Abstract
This paper provides a history of agriculture in Syria from the beginning of the last century. It shows how agricultural trends have shifted and examines the outlook for the future.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
History of Agriculture
Early 20th Century
Middle 20th Century
Latter 20th century
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Beginning in 1950, Syrian farmers expanded the use of fertilizers and new seeds, and began practicing new farming techniques. As a result, productivity in cotton, fruit and vegetable cultivation improved. In 1953, agriculture provided 40 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Changes in rainfall rates affected crops, with secondary effects on the rest of the economy: trade, transport, and food processing. The low rate of growth of transportation had an adverse effect on the development of important agricultural regions."

Tags:Jebel, Druze, Range, Baath, Euphrates, Dam

Abstract
The paper relates that in the mid 1800s, reformist sultans in the Ottoman Empire developed and issued the Tanzimat, a set of policy reforms. The paper discusses the political environment and policy system that the Tanzimat was designed to address. The paper discusses the general direction of the reformist agenda and highlights the application of that agenda in the Mount Lebanon province in order to assess the success of the Ottoman reforms and their subsequent impact on policy administration in the modern Middle East.

Outline:
Local Administration in the Ottoman Empire
Implementation of the Tanzimat in Mount Lebanon

From the Paper
"In the mid 1800's, reformist sultans in the Ottoman Empire developed and issued the Tanzimat, a set of policy reforms that were designed to alter the established governing institutions of the empire and halt the empire's slow decline in relation to emerging border nations across Europe. The essential direction of the reforms was to centralize and secularize policy administration throughout the empire in order to ensure that individual citizens were treated fairly and equally, and that the empire remained united and strengthened. In order to achieve this, reformist sultans realized that local institutions had to be controlled so that they were not taking advantage of their distance from the capital to manipulate subjects and policy in order enrich a few local citizens. Their attempt at reform was, at its foundation, the same movement toward rationalizing and realigning policy administration that occurred in the nations of Europe in and around the 18th Century, so that the elements of the modern state could emerge throughout the scattered empire."

Tags:Middle, East, Druze, Islam, Arabs, Christians, sultans, elites, notables

Abstract
The paper studies the 1000 year old battle for cultural, religious and political supremacy between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon. It shows the demographic make-up of present day Lebanon and investigates the possibility of dividing the country according to the dominant religious group in the area. It brings examples of other countries in the world where this method of partition was implemented.

From the Paper
"In this framework, it was inevitable that the creation of Israel would be seen not as returning residents to their old land, but of Europe using the Middle East for expansion of power, influence and control. Israel was viewed as the puppet of European interests, and they saw themselves as pawns being played by outside forces in the Cold War between the U.S.S.R. and Western interests, and Israel as an example of Western colonialism in the middle of the Arab world. (Esposito, 1997) This view would be strengthened when the U.S.S.R. attempted to defeat the Moslem country of Afghanistan, followed after a relatively brief period by United States military action there."

Tags:Crusades, Middle, East, Judaism, Maronites, Ottoman, Empire, Druze, Shiite, PLO, Sunni, Sa'iqa

Abstract
This paper shows that even though Lebanon and Jordan are geographically neighbors, their current political and national positions are very different. Their similarities are discussed during Ancient Biblical times of foreign rule. Their present government and leaders are compared and their attitudes towards the politics in the region are analyzed - Israel-Palestine issues. Their levels of religions rule and the basic make up of their populations are also compared.

From the Paper
"Although geographically Lebanon and Jordan exist in the same region, few similarities exist with the two countries, especially in recent history. A limited number of similarities go back to ancient and medieval times. Some general religious and cultural similarities also exist. The geographic features differ significantly. Their governmental structure also differs and therefore their laws and rights diverge. Twentieth century history, geographic features, and economic variances link together to create substantial differences."

Tags:Middle, East, rule, national, politics, Hussein, Druze, Palestine, West, Bank, Israel, Beirut, Moslem, Islam

Abstract
This paper examines the issue of identity among the Maronite Christians in Lebanon, providing first a brief historical background and then discussing how they have pursued various strategies for determining for themselves who it is that they are. The primary Maronite group is a Christian community of Arabs centered in Lebanon and in communion with the Pope. Smaller Maronite groups also exist in Cyprus, Palestine, Syria, and the United States, with a total number throughout the world of about 1.3 million. It examines how the self discovery process is especially difficult since they are the minority in their own culture surrounded by majority groups who are overtly hostile towards them.

From the Paper
"The group's roots lie in the seventh century when members adhered to the (then) heresy of Monothelitism. Monothelitism was the belief--which was held in conformity to traditional Christian doctrine--that Christ had two distinct natures, divine and human, but also held that the two natures are manifested in a single will and activity. The doctrine of Monothelitism was first promulgated about 624 by Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in an attempt to reconcile the orthodox point of view that Christ has two natures, with the heretical belief of the Monophysites that he has but one. By this reconciliation Heraclius hoped to bring back into the church the thousands of Monophysites who had been excommunicated for heresy. The result of the promulgation of Monothelitism, however, was not greater unity in the church and empire, but further division, as is so often the case with such well-meaning compromises."

Tags:pope, monothelitism, islam, druze