that the dominance of these groups at a certain period contributed to stability within the state after 25 years of political instability and continuous military coups which had shaken the country . The minority could not absolutely suppress the majority in this case and constantly found compromises with the latter . This can be seen as the primary key to success for the Alawite government , i . e . the dominance of the minority who understood governance over the majority could not be carried out merely by suppressing their rights and freedoms , but rather a constructive dialogue should have been built with representatives of the majority . This has provided the regime with a sufficiently high level of stability 22 .
Secularism Introduced in Syria
Another way to interpret the stability brought by the Alawite rulers is by referring to the Syrian regime ’ s orientation on secular values . It is commonly argued that a number of sects came into existence after Syria gained its independence , and it is only after Hafez al-Assad overthrew Jadid that the focus shifted from sectarianism towards secularism . This shift was embraced by the new constitution of the Ba ’ ath Party , which explicitly downplayed the importance of sectarian differences , aiming at totally abolishing them , stating thatsectarian differences are “ unimportant ” and will eventually “ disappear ” 23 . One of the strategic steps taken by Hafez al-Assad was the assignment of representatives from the Sunni majority to important government positions , including the positions of Minister of Defense , Foreign Affairs , and even Vice-President . The rivals of Assad ’ s regime criticized it for being discriminatory towards some and for providing benefits to the Alawi community . It is true that some Alawites benefitted from Assad ’ s regime because they enjoyed major economic benefits , but the main benefactors were particularly those who had family ties with the President himself 24 . However , it is also indisputable that there were Alawites for whom the ethnicity of the political leader did not make a difference . Additionally , a large number of Sunnis supported the Alawi president .
It is also important to consider the relationship that was built between the ruling minority and the subordinate majority of this state , i . e . Alawites and Sunnis .
22
Doroshenko Yelena , Shiitskoye dukhovenstvo v dvukh revolyutsiyakh : 1905-1911 & 1978-1979 . [ Shiite Spirituality in Two Revolutions : 1905-1911 and 1978-1979 ]. Russian Academy of Sciences . Institute of Oriental Studies . Moscow . IV RAN 63.3 ( 5 ). 1998 .
23
Dam Nikolaos van , The Struggle for Power in Syria : Politics and Society under Asad and the Ba ' th Party , ( London : I . B . Tauris , 2013 ).
24
Neep Daniel , Ashes of Hama : The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria , The RUSI Journal 159 , no . 2 ( 2014 ), 97 – 98 .
15