Baathist Reform on the Rise in Syria?

Middle East Online reports that stagnation in Syria’s monolithic Baath Party has caused many to call for modernization that ensures compatibility between the Baath’s socialist model and emerging economic liberalization. A sluggish economy, low oil production and unemployment has led Syria to open its state-controlled economy in recent years.

Many Baath members are unengaged in the party after demands to modernize the political landscape (particularly with multiple parties) were met with inaction. Baath’s socialist ideology also suffers from a lack of popular support, as it is criticized for having been colonized by individual business interests.  Ayman Abdelnour, a reformist Baath member, says that an eventual multi-party system may nevertheless be undermined by these established political trends. If there is change, parties will likely remain led by businessmen and clerics loyal to the Baath government.