SUMMARY
PSP (Progressive Socialist Party; al-hizb al-taqadummi al-ishtiraki in Arabic) is a Lebanese political party and the main political representative of the Druze sect in Lebanon. The party was founded already in 1949 as a democratic, socialist and secular political vehicle. The party has, however, always been associated with the Druze religious sect (a monotheistic religion with roots in Ismailism) in Lebanon and has championed its interests throughout Lebanese history. The party’s ideology has always been one of socialist democracy mixed with Arab nationalism and sectarian interest of the Druze sect. The party was founded by Kamal Jumblatt of the Jumblatt clan; one of the Druze sect’s most influential families.
PSP rose to prominence in the run-up to and throughout the Lebanese Civil War (approximately 1975-1990), when the party became the dominant organization within the Lebanese National Movement (LNM, and later existing under other names) which challenged the conservative Christian dominance of the Maronite elites in the country. LNM, under the leadership of Kamal Jumblatt, grouped various socialist and communist groups and parties/militias mainly with affiliation to the Palestinians, Sunnis, Druze, Shiites and Syrians. LNM, under various names and with different configurations, partook in the Lebanese Civil War as the most powerful group to fight against the Lebanese Forces (the conglomeration of right-wing and Christian militias).
When the civil war ended in 1990 LNM and PSP, as well as nearly all militias in Lebanon, were demobilized to make way for the resurrection of the Lebanese state. PSP had been a well-armed and battle-hardened organization with its military wing, PLA (People’s Liberation Army) containing up to 18 000 soldiers with relatively good weaponry. Although essentially demobilized the PSP has since retained a smaller arsenal, something which has been visible in later clashes with other parties and militias. During the civil war LNM (and thus also PSP) received support from several Arab sources, as well as from the Soviet Union, which provided funding, weapons and other material support. Since the end of the civil war no such support has – at least not openly – been given to the group.
PSP is a very influential party in the parts of Lebanon that are dominated by the Druze sect, which comprises some 5% of the total population. The main areas of Druze inhabitance are the Mount Lebanon area and the Chouf District (both near Beirut). PSP had an effective local administration in these areas during the civil war.
In the new Lebanese political landscape that formed after the assassination of Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri and the subsequent withdrawal from the country of Syrian forces (stationed there since 1976 when the country intervened in the Lebanese Civil War) PSP became allied with the 14 March coalition of Saad Hariri, thus opposing the pro-Syrian leanings of many other parties in the country and supporting the pro-Western attitudes of Hariri’s Sunni political party; the Future Movement.
Since its inception PSP has had only two leaders; Kamal Jumblatt and his son Walid Jumblatt. Kamal Jumblatt was assassinated in 1977, during the civil war, and the reins of the party were subsequently taken up by Walid Jumblatt, who remains the leader of the party at the time of writing (January 2011).
PSP has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence. As part of LNM (Lebanese National Movement), PSP has been involved in the intra-state category of UCDP organised violence.
