The Claims of Culture at Empire’s End: Syria and Lebanon under French Rule (review)

In this study Jennifer M. Dueck explores the role of culture during the period of de-colonization in Syria and Lebanon (1936–46), and makes clear the relationship between culture and politics in the ‘tapestry of decolonization’. As Dueck reminds the reader, both the discourses and practices of culture were shaped by the politics of the day. As such, she suggests that there were competing and contradictory narratives in the French official discourse on cultural policy. The French had a strong sense of cultural superiority, but this coexisted with insecurity about the actual limits of power that France had to face in the Middle East. Furthermore, as Dueck sees it, although there were efforts to separate culture from politics, culture was in fact used as a tool of politics, and the existence of certain cultural networks put those involved in politics in an ‘unstable web’ of changing relationships. Dueck recognizes, of course, that there has been much scholarship exploring the ways in which culture has influenced policy, shaped international relations, and affected power structures, but the differences are also emphasized in her own work. In this study the focus is on the negotiations and networks that developed among those stakeholders invested in cultural institutions within the region. Efforts were made to control those cultural institutions that had the capacity to influence the public’s perception of cultural symbols, affect language and cultural values, and shape identity. These contestations unfolded in a variety of arenas ranging from schools to cinemas. Dueck’s focus on Syria and Lebanon in particular makes important contributions to the study of culture and power. Her work is an analysis of a region during a time of transition — the period in which there was a shift from colonial to diplomatic status. It also raises important questions about the role of culture in France’s ‘civilizing mission’ and suggests that at times the mission was understood to be one of cultural diplomacy. Perhaps most importantly, given the strategic and demographic context of Syria and Lebanon, it is clear that international relations were rooted in ‘negotiation and renegotiation’. Dueck’s work is grounded in an impressive range of primary source material in multiple languages and drawn from several archives. She also conducted twenty-five interviews for this study. Though focusing on culture, the book itself has no images, diagrams, or maps to supplement Dueck’s analysis of cultural dynamics in a political context. This is a minor criticism, however, in view of the depth and scope of such a thoroughly researched study.