In a study of worldwide ethnic diversity in 2003, Stanford Professor James D Fearon listed 777 ethnic groups which make up the eclectic mix of peoples in the world. Based on this, Fearon arrived at the ethically most diverse countries in the world — not surprisingly, Africa’s multi-numerous tribal ethnicities and hastily drawn country borders led African countries to the top of the pack.

Two countries, non-African, however, at the top of the list were notably conspicuous — Lebanon and India.

All in one

Lebanon serves as an important example of heterogeneity in West Asia. It is ethically and religiously the most diverse country in the volatile West Asia, bordering Syria and Israel. The religious mix in Lebanon is: 27 per cent Shi’a Islam, 27 per cent Sunni Islam, 40 per cent Christians and 5 per cent Druze Muslims. The Christians are further split into the Maronites, Greek Orthodox, Catholic and the others.

But this diversity leaves little to celebrate in the beleaguered nation. Middle East watchers have repeatedly termed Lebanon as also the most complex country in the region. Plagued by frequent turmoil since its independence in 1945, Lebanon had a full blown civil war between 1975-1990. This crippled the economy, laid waste the capital city of Beirut, destroyed local entrepreneurship and forced youth migration.

In order to represent all the religious and ethnic groups and deter further sectarian conflict, Lebanon adopted a unique system of parliamentary democracy — Confessionalism. In this, high-ranking offices are reserved for members of specific religious groups. The President, for example, has to be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, the Speaker of the Parliament a Shi’a Muslim, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eastern Orthodox Christians and so on.

Managing diversity

With an economy that is 20 per cent dependent on foreign remittances and public debt to the extent of 150 per cent of GDP, Lebanon is susceptible to tensions in its neighbourhood. Tourism, a 10 per cent contributor to its GDP, has fallen substantially after the Syrian crisis. It is estimated that the entire demographics of Lebanon will shift in the next 2-3 years with one million Syrian refugees intermingling in its four million population.

One issue that has confounded Lebanon since independence is the missing aspect of “Complementary Diversity”, something that India manages well. This aspect could be defined as the religious and ethnic mix of the country complementing each other in allowing for common economic and social benefits.

I know a successful handicrafts business enterprise in India with capital from a Marwari, creative inputs from a Goan Christian, a team of artisans headed by a Muslim and the sales department headed by a Parsi. Having only created a squabbling parliamentary democracy, and not a complementary society based on religious representation, has sadly added to Lebanon’s woes.

The writer heads new country development at Marico. The views are personal

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