The Developmental Role of the State under Neoliberal Policies
Episode 19 – September 14, 2025
In this episode of Syria: Alternative Dialogues podcast, we open a candid conversation on the developmental role of the state during and after conflict, and how neoliberal policies have affected productive capacity and social justice in Syria and the region.
We host political economist Dr. Joseph Daher to explore the differences between developmental states and neoliberal approaches, the trajectories of liberalization since the 1990s and 2000s, the impact of war, militarization, and privatization, and the role of humanitarian aid. The episode also explores alternative pathways centered on bottom-up democratic participation, progressive tax reform, targeted funding for productive sectors (industry/agriculture/SMEs), along with the regulation of foreign investment and transitional justice addressing economic crimes.
Key Discussion Points:
– What is a developmental state—and why has its role declined?
– Neoliberalism: From “There Is No Alternative” to growth without development and rising inequality
– The Syrian case: From 2000s liberalization to the war economy and beyond
– Humanitarian aid: Between critique and supporting local production
– Economic policy under the transitional government: Privatization, energy, purchasing power
– Who benefits—and who is left behind?
– Alternatives: Bottom-up democracy, progressive taxation, productive sector financing, investment governance, transitional justice
About the Guest:
Dr. Joseph Daher is a political economist with a PhD in Development Studies (SOAS – University of London) and a PhD in Political Science (University of Lausanne). His research focuses on Syria and the region, with a particular interest in the relationship between economic elites and state transformation in conflict contexts.
Hosted by Rabie Nasser, researcher and co-founder of the Syrian Center for Policy Research.
Episode produced and coordinated by Reem Takriti
This episode is part of a special podcast series on neoliberal policies in Syria and the region, produced by the Syrian Center for Policy Research (SCPR) in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).
Episode references:
Publications by Joseph Daher:
– Daher, Joseph (2016). Hezbollah: The Political Economy of Lebanon’s Party of God. Pluto Press.
https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745336893/hezbollah/
– Daher, Joseph (2019). Syria After the Uprisings: The Political Economy of State Resilience. Pluto Press.
https://www.plutobooks.com/9781786804648/syria-after-the-uprisings/
– Daher, Joseph (2018). “The political economic context of Syria’s reconstruction: a prospective in light of a legacy of unequal development.” Middle East Directions, European University Institute (EUI).
https://cadmus.eui.eu/entities/publication/686f20db-82d3-5002-80aa-6c8397e042d7
– Daher, Joseph (2025). “Three Requisites for Syria’s Reconstruction Process.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/05/three-requisites-for-syrias-reconstruction-process?lang=en
– Daher, Joseph (2025). “The Threats Ahead of a Democratic and Progressive Syria.” SyriaUntold.
https://syriauntold.com/2025/01/04/understanding-the-threats-ahead-of-a-democratic-and-progressive-syria/
– Additional articles by Joseph Daher on:
– International Viewpoint
https://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?auteur866
– Jacobin Magazine
https://jacobin.com/author/joseph-daher
– Tempest Magazine
https://tempestmag.org/?s=Joseph+Daher
Previous and Next Episodes:
Keep listening to our podcasts, and discover more from “Syria; Alternative Dialogues” by following us on Spotify.
Podcast
The Developmental Role of the State under Neoliberal Policies
Episode 19 – September 14, 2025
The Developmental Role of the State under Neoliberal Policies
Episode 19 – September 14, 2025
– Episode in Arabic
In this episode of Syria: Alternative Dialogues podcast, we open a candid conversation on the developmental role of the state during and after conflict, and how neoliberal policies have affected productive capacity and social justice in Syria and the region.
We host political economist Dr. Joseph Daher to explore the differences between developmental states and neoliberal approaches, the trajectories of liberalization since the 1990s and 2000s, the impact of war, militarization, and privatization, and the role of humanitarian aid. The episode also explores alternative pathways centered on bottom-up democratic participation, progressive tax reform, targeted funding for productive sectors (industry/agriculture/SMEs), along with the regulation of foreign investment and transitional justice addressing economic crimes.
Key Discussion Points:
– What is a developmental state—and why has its role declined?
– Neoliberalism: From “There Is No Alternative” to growth without development and rising inequality
– The Syrian case: From 2000s liberalization to the war economy and beyond
– Humanitarian aid: Between critique and supporting local production
– Economic policy under the transitional government: Privatization, energy, purchasing power
– Who benefits—and who is left behind?
– Alternatives: Bottom-up democracy, progressive taxation, productive sector financing, investment governance, transitional justice
About the Guest:
Dr. Joseph Daher is a political economist with a PhD in Development Studies (SOAS – University of London) and a PhD in Political Science (University of Lausanne). His research focuses on Syria and the region, with a particular interest in the relationship between economic elites and state transformation in conflict contexts.
Hosted by Rabie Nasser, researcher and co-founder of the Syrian Center for Policy Research.
Episode produced and coordinated by Reem Takriti
This episode is part of a special podcast series on neoliberal policies in Syria and the region, produced by the Syrian Center for Policy Research (SCPR) in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).
Publications by Joseph Daher:
– Daher, Joseph (2016). Hezbollah: The Political Economy of Lebanon’s Party of God. Pluto Press.
https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745336893/hezbollah/
– Daher, Joseph (2019). Syria After the Uprisings: The Political Economy of State Resilience. Pluto Press.
https://www.plutobooks.com/9781786804648/syria-after-the-uprisings/
– Daher, Joseph (2018). “The political economic context of Syria’s reconstruction: a prospective in light of a legacy of unequal development.” Middle East Directions, European University Institute (EUI).
https://cadmus.eui.eu/entities/publication/686f20db-82d3-5002-80aa-6c8397e042d7
– Daher, Joseph (2025). “Three Requisites for Syria’s Reconstruction Process.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/05/three-requisites-for-syrias-reconstruction-process?lang=en
– Daher, Joseph (2025). “The Threats Ahead of a Democratic and Progressive Syria.” SyriaUntold.
https://syriauntold.com/2025/01/04/understanding-the-threats-ahead-of-a-democratic-and-progressive-syria/
– Additional articles by Joseph Daher on:
– International Viewpoint
https://internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?auteur866
– Jacobin Magazine
https://jacobin.com/author/joseph-daher
– Tempest Magazine
https://tempestmag.org/?s=Joseph+Daher
Previous and Next Episodes:
Keep listening to our podcasts, and discover more from “Syria; Alternative Dialogues” by following us on Spotify.
