The National Dialogue in Syria and ministerial discussions in Lebanon represent two baby steps to restoring political legitimacy and representation in both countries.
In Damascus, hundreds of delegates gathered at the invitation of the interim authority to participate in a national dialogue conference—an event met with widespread scepticism both domestically and internationally. It aimed to lend legitimacy to the transition government's remit.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, parliamentarians faced a much simpler task, as it already has a democratic and theoretically legitimate government, albeit through the skeletal remains of state institutions teetering on collapse. They simply have to not stand in the way of the government doing its job and let it carry out the policies it has been tasked to implement.
Lebanon and Syria are not the only Arab nations grappling with issues pertaining to legitimacy. Political legitimacy in Sudan, Libya, and Yemen is being contested through violence on the ground. Each faction has its own gripes, accusing the other side of incitement, illegitimacy, and carrying out foreign agendas.
Might is right politics
In Arab politics, political mandates granted to the ruling authority by the people don't necessarily translate into actual power. Instead, might is right politics usually triumph. Yet, the notion of popular legitimacy is still sought, even if only for show (think of leaders who secure 99% of the vote).
When representative legitimacy is not sought, the argument used is that it stands in the way of achieving tangible progress. Here, politicians tend to focus primarily on securing their own interests, granting privileges to their supporters, and consolidating power.
