"Warlords and Merchants" examines the history of the Lebanese warlord/business establishment and illuminates local attitudes, which have often seemed baffling to the outside world. The book provides a close-up study of Lebanese leaders and the business class, and a seminal illustration of and insight into the resistance of local cultures and small countries such as Lebanon to the juggernaut of globalization. Based on firsthand observations and knowledge of Lebanese history, economy, language and culture, the author deals here with important issues that vex Lebanon today - sectarianism, traditional leadership, outdated business practices, an archaic economic structure and a deep sense of historical grievances. "Warlords and Merchants" is a must-read for policymakers, business and political leaders, as well as students and academics with research interests in Lebanon, the Middle East and international affairs.
Kamal Dib is a Canadian author and a professional economist. He has written 11 books on Canada, Lebanon, and Iraq, and over 300 articles in periodicals and professional journals.
Kamal Dib holds a Masters of Arts in Economics from the University of Ottawa, a Masters of Arts in International Development from the Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Canada, and a B. Soc. Sc. Economics from the University of Ottawa. He has finished the coursework of Ph D Economics from the Joint Ottawa-Carleton Program of Economics with specialization in public finance.
List of Books:
1- Warlords and Merchants - The Lebanese Business and Political Establishment (Ithaca Press, UK).
2- Umara al-Harb Rijal al-Sulta wal Mal fi Lubnan (Men of Power and Money in Lebanon). Publisher: Dar Annahar, Beirut.
3- Zilzal fi Ard al-Shiqaq: Al-Iraq 1915-2015 (Iraq 1915-2015), Publisher: Dar al-Farabi, Beirut.
4- Ala Bawabat al-Sharq (At Orient Gate: Eyewitness Lebanon). A sociological analysis of daily observations by a Canadian visitor. Publisher: Dar al-Farabi, Beirut.
5- Leila of the Prairies (novel); publisher: Dar al-Farabi, beirut.
6- Employment Equity in Canada 1991-2004; publisher: HRSDC, Gatineau.
7- Labour Supply in the UN ESCWA Region, Publisher: Carleton University.
8- The Demise of Christian Lebanon (Haza al-Jisr Al-Atik); Publisher: Dar Annahar, Beirut.
9- The Human and Physical Costs of War in Lebanon (Thaman al-Dam wal Damar); Publisher: Geo-Projects, Beirut.
10- Public Pensions in Canada; Publisher: University of Ottawa.
11- A Cultural History of Beirut 1891-2010, Dar Annahar, Beirut 2010.
Kamal Dib is a specialist on Canadian social policy. He has written extensively on socio-economic issues of contemporary Canada, for example in the following magazines: Canadian Diversity, Canadian Themes, Journal of Canadian Ethnic Studies, Canada Labour Gazette, Canadian Business. And also on social issues related to his books in The Daily Star, Alhayat, and Annahar.
Currently, Kamal Dib is a full time Government of Canada economist and a part time student at the University of Ottawa, pursuing a BA in the German Studies Program. He has written a number of comparative studies comparing Canadian and German social policies and programs.
Kamal Dib can be reached at kamaldib@videotron.ca
