Baath Party Considers Admitting Capitalists

As Syria shifts from a socialist-type planned economy to the free market, the ruling Baath party is pondering whether to amend its founding principles to allow businessmen to join.



In a May 5 article published by the pro-government website Syrian Days, a top party committee suggested some of the party’s fundamental doctrines could be modified. The most significant change would broaden the party – which led a socialist revolution in the 1960s and still describes itself as being made of up “workers and peasants” – to make it a more inclusive organisation that allows in members of other classes such as businessmen.



Some party members were unhappy at proposals which they believed would betray the proletarian struggle, said the website.



But the article concluded that the changes made sense as they would allow the Baath party to maintain its role as “leader of state and society”, at a time when Syria is going through political and social change.