Transizione post-industriale e trasformazione economico territoriale. Alle origini della conflittualità nella Siria di Bashar al-Assad.

On an economic level, Bashar's activity seemed to be, initially, a prolongation of the paternal experience and a reconfirmation of the choices made by Hafiz in certain historical moments. In spring 2000 President Hafiz al-Assad had supported an innovative economic reform process. When Bashar ascended to the presidency of the government ,in the summer of the same year, the process was speeded up and affected several aspects of Syrian economy and social life : the investment legislation was amended by issuing additional decrees that aimed to favor and attract private investment in the country (real estate, education and banking). Undoubtely, however, international affairs had upset development plans: the terrorist attacks of 11th of september 2001 had caused a significant fracture in the relations that Syria had with many western countries and aggravated the political position of the country. The Syrian economy was very affected by this situation : the decline in the tourism sector was proof of this, but Syria needed foreign capital and Bashar had acted by negotiating a commercial agreement with the EU, applying for WTO membership and striving to form a free trade area between the Arab countries. These agreements were held back by the bureaucracy linked to the Ba'th Party, which used every tool to hinder the young Assad, creating the conditions of social and economic conflict, also the result of the increase in unemployment and low competitiveness.