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A political party cannot be purchased. It could die out if its aasabiyya—in other words, its cohesion and unity—are not respected and safeguarded. It would be like uprooting a tree that steadily loses its leaves, has its branches fade away, and eventually perishes.
A political party can emerge in exceptional circumstances, in the wake of major events that mobilize the people around a charismatic leader, advocating certain values, positions, or principles. However, the party can only achieve stability by institutionalizing itself over time.
In parallel with political action and competition, bonds and a sense of aasabiyya are being created among “comrades.” The Arabic term refers to a spontaneous and emotional connection that establishes a unique vital nerve within the party, going as far as shaping its identity.
When he talked to the sun, Zarathustra once said, “What would you be, great celestial body, if you didn’t have the ones you shed your light on?!” This observation prompts us to untangle the intimate connections forged between a leader—known in Lebanon as a “zaïm“—and his supporters, or his fans.
According to Gramsci, the fan base, which mainly includes executives and sympathizers, eventually ends up creating a historical bloc with their zaïm. However, in this particular case, it is not about culture but about memory.
From that perspective, it becomes unthinkable to separate the components of this bloc. The only way to safeguard the political party in the long run would be to primarily uphold its aasabiyya, which draws its strength from its history, and gradually strive to move forward in time by adapting to new realities.
At this point, it becomes relevant to discuss the transfer of legitimacy within the bloc itself. Of course, this excludes intergenerational divisions, especially when it comes to acquiring a party’s name and reputation, which is done in the same way as buying market stocks.
When it comes to party affiliation, I believe that the first and only value to be preserved should be conviction, a blend of cerebral and emotional factors that is spontaneously driven by a voluntary and altruistic commitment to a shared project.
A political party can never be purchased. Doing so would be like uprooting a tree that quickly loses its leaves, has its branches fade away, and eventually dies out. Hence, it can perish if its aasabiyya is not respected and protected.