DirectDemocracyS

Global Direct Democracy

Lebanon's National Program

A comprehensive and critical analysis of the Lebanese reality

The complete political, economic, and social program

2025-2026 Edition

Introduction: The Lebanese moment of truth

Lebanon, this small country that has produced some of the greatest minds, writers, and merchants in the Arab world, stands today before an existential choice, one from which there is no hesitation: either a radical and bold revival on the foundations of genuine democracy, or complete collapse and fragmentation into endless sectarian wars. There is no middle ground. Every partial solution, every incomplete reform, every new sectarian agreement will only postpone an even greater catastrophe.

This Lebanese national program from DirectDemocracyS makes no empty promises. It offers a rigorous and well-researched diagnosis of a dire reality, followed by detailed, practical solutions that can be implemented immediately. The Lebanese people deserve the whole truth before they deserve any promises.

DirectDemocracyS is a global direct democracy system operating in every country, placing real power directly in the hands of the people, not in the hands of sectarian elites, financial oligarchies, or ineffective political parties. We don't ask for your vote to govern for you—we teach you how to govern yourself.

 

Part One: A Comprehensive Diagnosis and Frank Critique of the Lebanese Reality

Chapter One: The Economic Collapse - The Numbers That Don't Lie

Figures of the Lebanese economic disaster

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Decreased from $55 billion (2018) to approximately $28 billion (2024) – a loss of 50% of national wealth

The Lebanese pound: has lost more than 98% of its value since 2019 (from 1,507 pounds/dollar to 89,700 pounds/dollar).

Inflation: Reached 270% in April 2023 - one of the highest inflation rates in the world

Poverty: More than 80% of the population lives in multidimensional poverty.

The banking sector: incurring losses exceeding $72 billion - "zombie" banks unable to provide services

Frozen depositors' funds: Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese are unable to access their savings.

War losses (2023-2024): $14 billion according to World Bank estimates

Reconstruction needs: at least $11 billion immediately

1.1 How Lebanon got here: The complete anatomy

The Lebanese collapse was neither a natural disaster nor a historical accident. It was a deliberate project carried out by an allied sectarian political and financial elite that had usurped and drained the state for decades. To understand this crime, we need to dissect it into its constituent parts:

First – Public Debt Engineering: Successive governments adopted the “central bank engineering” model devised by Governor Riad Salameh. Banks attracted dollars from depositors with high interest rates (up to 20%), then deposited these funds with the Central Bank of Lebanon in exchange for even higher interest rates, which in turn lent to the state. This was a classic Ponzi scheme on a national scale. When the influx of new dollars stopped, the entire pyramid collapsed.

Second – Systematic Electricity Theft: Lebanon has not had continuous electricity for more than 24 hours a day for decades. The reasons are clear: private generators owned by sectarian leaders generate billions annually. Building a reliable electricity grid would mean dismantling these private empires. Therefore, it has not been built. The cost of this electricity failure to the economy: billions annually.

Third – The Sectarian Management of Corruption: Corruption in Lebanon was not an isolated phenomenon, but rather an institutionalized system divided along sectarian lines. Each sect received its “share” of state ministries, which it exploited for political patronage and the distribution of spoils to its members. Appointments were based not on merit but on affiliation. The result: a hollow state, extremely expensive to operate, and incapable of providing even the most basic services.

Chapter Two: The System of Political Sectarianism - The Rule of the Oligarchy Under the Cloak of Religion

Lebanon is one of the world's most peculiar political experiments: a democracy in appearance, but a sectarian oligarchy at its core. The sectarian system, established by the French Mandate in 1926, enshrined in the National Pact of 1943, and further restructured by the Taif Agreement of 1989, has never been a system of justice and balance. It has always been a system for dividing spoils among sectarian leaders, using religious identity to garner votes and justify corruption.

The simple ruling formula: a Maronite president, a Sunni prime minister, and a Shia speaker of parliament. This formula does not reflect the will of the people—it reflects the balance of power between sectarian leaders. Lebanese citizens do not elect qualified candidates—they elect representatives of their sect to fill their share of the spoils.

The devastating consequences of the sectarian system:

• Incompetence: Political appointments overshadow professional standards in all state institutions.
• Structural corruption: Every ministry is a "fiefdom" of a sectarian leader who distributes its positions among his followers.
• Decision-making paralysis: Every decision requires sectarian consensus, making any real reform virtually impossible.
• Vote buying: Research indicates that 48.55% of voters are subjected to vote buying.
• Loyalty to the sect, not the nation: The most corrupt officials are protected by their sectarian clans.
• Weak citizenship: The citizen depends on the "leader" of the sect to obtain the most basic services.

2.1 Hezbollah: A State Within a State and the Fundamental Contradiction

Hezbollah is a complex political phenomenon that cannot be simplified. It is simultaneously an armed resistance movement popular among Shiites, a political party participating in governments, a social apparatus providing services to its base, and an Iranian proxy in regional conflicts. This contradictory combination is the source of all the problems.

Documented facts: Between October 2023 and the end of the ceasefire in November 2024, more than 3,961 people were killed in Lebanon. Hezbollah suffered significant leadership losses. Hundreds of thousands of housing units were destroyed. The World Bank estimates the economic losses from the conflict at $14 billion.

The fundamental critique: Any political project that places its allegiance to a foreign power (whether Iran or any other) above the interests of the Lebanese state is, by definition, a project that undermines national sovereignty and the people's right to self-determination. This does not question the Lebanese people's right to resist occupation—but it does mean that any weapons outside the authority of the state are a threat to genuine democracy.

Chapter Three: Social and Humanitarian Crises

The painful social reality

Poverty: More than 80% of the population is in multidimensional poverty - up from 28% before 2019

Social security: Only 20% of the population has any social coverage.

Food insecurity: reached 24% in late 2024 before declining to 13% in early 2026

Actual unemployment: far exceeds the official figure of 11.6% (2023)

Displacement: More than one million internally displaced people at the height of the conflict in 2024

Syrian refugees: More than 1.5 million in a country with a population of just over 5 million.

Brain drain: Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese talents have left the country since 2019

Healthcare: A near-total collapse of the public health system

Electricity: Outages of up to 20 hours a day - nationwide blackout in August 2024

3.1 Syrian refugees: A crisis within a crisis

More than 1.5 million Syrian refugees reside in Lebanon—equivalent to approximately 30% of the population. This unprecedented influx is straining infrastructure, public services, and the labor market. The official Lebanese response has been largely racist and inhumane, while the root causes of the Syrian crisis have been completely ignored. DirectDemocracyS offers a humane and practical approach.

Chapter Four: The Beirut Port Explosion - A Crime That Went Unpunished

On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion devastated a large part of Beirut, killing more than 220 people, injuring 6,000 others, and displacing 300,000. 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate had been stored with criminal negligence in the heart of the capital for six years. The authorities were aware of the danger and did nothing.

What happened after the explosion was no less criminal: the judicial investigation was constantly obstructed, judges who attempted to pursue the case were subjected to pressure and threats, and sectarian leaders protected their followers from accountability. This crime and the impunity enjoyed by its perpetrators are the epitome of the Lebanese system.

 

Part Two: DirectDemocracyS' Comprehensive Program in Lebanon

Before presenting solutions, we emphasize a fundamental and non-negotiable principle: Lebanon's wealth and decisions must forever remain in the hands of the Lebanese people alone. No to selling resources to foreign investors at bargain prices. No to mortgaging sovereign decisions to regional or international agendas. The people own and decide.

Chapter Five: The DirectDemocracy System - True Democracy

5.1 Foundational Principles of the System

DirectDemocracyS is not a political party seeking power. It is a system of methods, tools, and principles that returns power directly to the people. In Lebanon specifically, this means a radical restructuring of the relationship between the citizen and the state, and transcending the system of sectarian leaders through direct participatory democracy.

5.2 Micro-Groups: The Backbone of Change

The golden rule of organization: 1 → 5 → 25 → 125 → 625

It all starts with a group of five. Not five friends from the same sect—five citizens from different regions and backgrounds, united by the belief that Lebanon deserves a competent government, not a sectarian one. This small group makes decisions by consensus through the DirectDemocracyS digital platform, electing one representative to represent them in the larger group (25 people), and so on.

Why does this model specifically break down Lebanese sectarianism?

• Mandatory diversification: Groups are formed to represent a diverse spectrum in terms of religious, geographical, and social affiliations.
• Decision-making based on competence, not affiliation: Every member is trained in the objective evaluation of policies, not in sectarian, reflexive voting.
• Complete transparency: Every vote is documented on the platform; there is no room for manipulation or vote buying.
• Immediate accountability: A representative who acts contrary to their mandate is immediately removed by a decision of their group.

5.3 ddsAI and allddsAI: Artificial Intelligence in the Service of Democracy

One of the biggest problems with democracy in Lebanon is misinformation and the manipulation of media outlets to serve sectarian and political interests. Every television channel, every newspaper, and every major media account is linked to a sect or political leader. Citizens lack access to reliable, impartial sources of information.

The ddsAI system solves this problem:

• Every political and financial decision is analyzed from multiple angles and presented to the citizen in an objective and impartial manner.
• It examines and exposes conflicts of interest: Who benefits from any decision and how?
• It allows specialized groups to access accurate data in their fields (economy, health, education...).
• It protects users from manipulative media and sectarian brainwashing.
• It translates complex legislation into clear language that every citizen can understand.

allddsAI – AI Democracy: We believe that artificial intelligence itself should be subject to democratic oversight. allddsAI is a system that allows users to monitor, evaluate, and continuously improve AI behavior, ensuring that it remains at the service of the people, not the authorities.

5.4 Three-Code Identity System

One of the biggest fears among Lebanese people regarding any new digital system is manipulation, forgery, and dual identity. The DirectDemocracyS system solves this problem with its three-step verification system.

• First symbol: Personal identification symbol (the citizen's true identity, encrypted and protected)
• The second code: the code for verifying group affiliation (ensures that each vote belongs to its correct group)
• The third symbol: the electoral process symbol (links each vote to a specific and archived process)

The result: Not a single vote can be falsified. No one can vote twice. Votes cannot be bought because every vote is documented. No leader can claim to represent those who did not authorize him.

5.5 NTCO and GUMI-SV: Full Transparency Governance

The NTCO (National Transparency and Verification Organization): A body completely independent of the government, political parties, and religious groups, tasked with monitoring and verifying the results of every democratic process. Its members are elected from small groups, and their sole mission is to ensure the integrity of the system.

GUMI-SV (Global Governance and Oversight Unit): The international body that links experiences of direct democracy in different countries of the world, and provides best practices and lessons learned from each experience.

 

Part Three: Detailed Sectoral Programs

Chapter Six: The Political and Governance Program

6.1 Overcoming the sectarian system through direct democracy

The goal is not to abolish sectarian identities, which are a genuine part of the Lebanese fabric. The goal is to eliminate the exploitation of sectarian identity in the distribution of power and wealth at the expense of competence and the public interest. Here's how:

Phase 1 (Years 1-2): Building small parallel groups

• DirectDemocracyS Arabic platform launched in Lebanon with a fully local interface
• The first five groups were formed in the major regions: Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, the South, the Bekaa, and the North.
• Training groups in an objective, evidence-based, rather than identity-based, decision-making methodology.
• Creating specialized groups: economists, lawyers, doctors, engineers, educators
• Forming youth groups in universities and high schools

Phase Two (Years 2-4): Organized Democratic Pressure

• Presenting integrated legislative reform programs formulated by specialized groups
• Pressuring Parliament to pass an electoral law based on merit, not sectarianism
• Popular monitoring of every government decision and its immediate evaluation on the platform
• Building a network of competent independents capable of running in parliamentary elections with the support of groups

Phase Three (Years 4-8): Gradual Transition

• Amend the constitution to abolish the allocation of positions based on sect and replace it with standards of competence and balanced representation.
• Establishing a constituent assembly that represents the Lebanese people in all their diversity to draft a new social contract
• Mandatory mandate application: Every representative is obligated to carry out their group's mandate or lose their position immediately.

6.2 Judicial Reform: The Cornerstone of Everything

There can be no real reform without an independent judiciary. Lebanon needs:

• A Supreme Judicial Council whose members are elected from the Bar Association and judges according to strict professional standards, not appointed by decree.
• A law to protect judges from political and sectarian pressures while ensuring full accountability.
• Revoking the executive branch's power to interfere in judicial appointments
• An independent constitutional court composed of judges elected according to professional and academic standards.
• Reopening the Beirut port explosion case with an independent international investigator and full protection guarantees

6.³ The principle of mandatory delegation

Every representative in the DirectDemocracyS system is obligated to do the following:

• Presenting a clear and detailed program before his election, representing the actual will of his group
• Voting according to his group's mandate on every major decision, or requesting a re-mandate.
• Providing a transparent monthly report to his group on every activity and decision
• Immediate removal if he votes contrary to his mandate or if investigations prove his corruption.
• Permanent ban from running again in case of disqualification due to corruption

Chapter Seven: The Economic Program - Rebuilding from Scratch

7.1 Saving depositors: The top national priority

$72 billion in banking losses. Hundreds of thousands of depositors have lost their life savings. This is an economic crime against the Lebanese people, and its victims should not be made to bear the costs of its recovery.

DirectDemocracyS' plan to rescue depositors:

• Immediate and comprehensive auditing of all banks' balance sheets by independent international auditors – this is what the financial elite have refused to do for years.
• Liquidating insolvent banks beyond saving, and guaranteeing the claims of small depositors (up to $100,000) through the Deposit Guarantee Fund
• Restructuring public debt through negotiations with creditors puts the interests of the people above the interests of bondholders.
• International prosecution of those who smuggled capital abroad after the 2019 collapse
• International demand for the return of looted funds deposited in foreign accounts

A practical example: Cyprus's 2013 bank restructuring experience offered a harsh but valuable lesson – large depositors lost a portion of their deposits, but the banking system was saved. Lebanon needs a fairer version that protects small depositors and holds large ones accountable.

7.2 Public Finance Reform: The End of a Permanent Deficit Government

• A transparent national budget, prepared with the participation of expert groups and published in full for the public.
• A fair, progressive tax system: reducing taxes on low-income earners and raising them on huge fortunes.
• Cancel tax exemptions granted to those close to political and sectarian authorities.
• Real-time monitoring of government spending via the DirectDemocracyS platform, available to everyone.
• The Public Finance Governance Law criminalizes the misuse of public funds for private interests.
• Financial disclosure audit of every government official before and after appointment

7.3 Reconstruction: Billions in service of the people, not in the pockets of contractors

Lebanon needs at least $11 billion for reconstruction. This enormous sum must be spent with absolute transparency, not become another feast for corruption.

• Establish an independent reconstruction fund overseen by representatives from the directly affected groups.
• Transparent public tenders for every reconstruction project, in the presence of independent observers.
• Priority will be given to Lebanese building materials and Lebanese labor whenever possible.
• A smart reconstruction plan that takes into account the requirements of climate change and earthquake resistance
• Rebuilding the South first is a national and humanitarian priority.

7.4 The energy sector: wealth or enslavement?

Lebanon pays billions annually to private generator owners because of the state's failure to provide electricity. This deliberate failure must end.

• A national solar energy program: Lebanon has enough sunshine to generate 100% of its electricity. Investing in solar energy is an economic, environmental, and sovereign solution all at once.
• Restructuring of Electricité du Liban (EDL): A complete audit of its contracts, repair of the distribution network, and elimination of illegal connections and theft.
• Liberating the energy sector from sectarian monopolies while ensuring genuine and transparent competition.
• Financial support for homes and small businesses to install solar panels
• Achievable goal: 24-hour electricity within 4 years

7.5 Productive Economy: An Alternative to a Rentier Economy

The Lebanese economy has historically relied on three pillars: financial services, tourism, and remittances. The collapse has exposed the fragility of this model. Lebanon needs a truly productive economy.

• Agriculture: Developing the agricultural sector in the Bekaa, South, and North, supporting small farmers, and establishing agricultural cooperatives protected from monopolies.
• Technology: Lebanon possesses exceptional technical expertise abroad – creating an investment environment that attracts expatriate talent to return.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises: An affordable loan program for small businesses with genuine advisory support.
• The gas and oil sector: Natural resources belong to the Lebanese people - Norway's sovereign wealth fund model is the benchmark.

The Norwegian model: When Norway discovered oil in the 1970s, it established a sovereign wealth fund (Government Pension Fund) to manage the revenues. Today, the fund is worth more than $1.6 trillion. Its returns fund public services. The wealth didn't go to the elite—it went to the entire population. This is the model that DirectDemocracyS applies in every country with natural resources.

Chapter Eight: The Financial and Monetary Program

8.1 Reforming the banking system

• Establishing a truly independent central bank, free from political influence and managed according to international professional standards.
• A new banking law sets minimum capital ratios and liquidity requirements according to "Basel 3" standards.
• Separating investment banks from commercial banks to protect ordinary depositors
• Establishing a public development bank that provides loans to productive projects at reasonable interest rates
• The deposit guarantee scheme provides up to $200,000 per depositor.

8.2 Monetary Policy and Currency Stability

• Inflation targeting: A 2-4% annual inflation target with clear monetary policy tools to achieve it.
• Building foreign exchange reserves through a reliable, phased plan
• Full transparency in the policies of the Central Bank of Lebanon: periodic publication of all data.
• Combating money laundering through strict application of international FATF standards

Chapter Nine: The Social Program

9.1 The social protection system: a right, not a favor

Only 20% of Lebanese have any social security coverage. This figure encapsulates the state's social failure. DirectDemocracyS poses:

• Comprehensive social security covering 100% of the population: health, retirement, unemployment, disability
• Guaranteed basic income for all citizens below the poverty line
• An electronic food voucher program for the poorest families, distributed according to transparent criteria, not sectarian favoritism.
• Elderly care: Establishing high-quality public care homes and expanding pensions
• Child Protection: A comprehensive support program for families with children living below the poverty line

9.2 Health Reform: The Right to a Decent Life

• Building an adequate public health system: well-equipped government hospitals in every province
• Comprehensive mandatory health insurance, partially funded by the state, for the most vulnerable groups.
• National Drug Program: Reorganizing Drug Import and Distribution to Stop Monopolies and Ensure Availability
• Mental Health Network: The psychological distress of the Lebanese people after years of crisis necessitates a national response.
• Public oversight of healthcare quality via the DirectDemocracyS platform

9.3 Education: Building the New Lebanese Person

• Free government education from kindergarten to university
• Unified curricula that teach citizenship, critical thinking, and a unified national history, not conflicting sectarian narratives.
• Supporting national universities and scientific research as an investment in the future
• Digital education: Providing every school with free internet and tablets for students
• Programs to attract back skilled emigrants: incentives for doctors, engineers, and scientists to return

9.4 The refugee crisis: a just and humane solution

Lebanon cannot bear the refugee crisis alone. But resorting to hate speech or racist policies is not the solution. DirectDemocracyS suggests:

• An international agreement for a fair distribution of the burden of asylum among European, Gulf, and other countries.
• Full and transparent registration of all refugees with clear pathways for residence or return
• Integrating refugees into the labor market in an organized manner also protects the rights of Lebanese workers.
• International diplomatic pressure to reach political solutions that allow for safe and voluntary return
• Absolute rejection of any forced deportation policies that violate international law

Chapter Ten: The Environmental and Development Program

• Protecting Lebanon's natural resources: Cedars, forests, rivers, and beaches belong to the people and are not for privatization projects.
• Water Management: Lebanon's water crisis threatens agriculture and the population - National Water Emergency Plan
• Waste: A comprehensive overhaul of the waste sector that has humiliated the Lebanese and destroyed their environment
• Green economy: Supporting environmentally friendly investments and including environmental standards in all major projects
• Preserving heritage: Protecting archaeological and historical sites from encroachment and haphazard construction

 

Part Four: Roadmap and Implementation

Chapter Eleven: How to Join DirectDemocracyS and Start the Change

DirectDemocracyS isn't asking you to wait for an election. Change starts today, in your neighborhood, in your city, at your workplace. Here are the immediate, practical steps:

• First step: Register on the DirectDemocracyS digital platform with your real identity (encrypted and protected)
• Step two: Join a group close to you or start your own group with four people you trust.
• Step three: Training in the methodology of objective group decision-making
• Step four: Choose your area of specialization: Economics? Health? Education? Environment? Law?
• Step Five: Active participation in decision-making and electing representatives based on competence

The golden principle: DirectDemocracyS does not use any form of violence or incitement. We embrace direct, peaceful, and intelligent democracy. Our strength lies in the number of participants and the quality of their decisions, not in any other weapon.

Chapter Twelve: Timeline Roadmap

Phase One: Establishment (2025-2026)

Launch of the Lebanese Arabic digital platform with all its features

Forming 500 core groups (2,500 members) in all Lebanese regions

Launch of the first specialized groups in economics, health, law and energy

Intensive training program on participatory democracy methodology

Building a network of relationships with civil society organizations and independent professional unions

Launching a national awareness campaign via social media and independent media

Phase Two: Spread and Impact (2026-2028)

Expanding the network to 5,000 groups (25,000 active members)

Presenting integrated legislative reform packages drafted by specialized groups

Organized democratic pressure on parliament and government

Public monitoring of the implementation of the government reform program using objective indicators

Supporting competent independent candidates in municipal and parliamentary elections

Coordination with the DirectDemocracyS international network to enhance diplomatic pressure

Phase Three: Fundamental Transformation (2028-2032)

Forming a parliamentary majority from elected representatives through the DirectDemocracy system

Constitutional reform that establishes direct democracy and abolishes sectarian allocation of positions

Implementing an integrated economic and social system

Lebanon becomes an Arab model for successful direct democracy

 

Part Five: Fundamental Principles and Values

Chapter Thirteen: What DirectDemocracyS Guarantees for Everyone

DirectDemocracyS pledges non-negotiable guarantees to every group in Lebanon:

Guarantees of everyone's rights

Religious and sectarian diversity: full respect and protection for all religions and sects - Maronite, Sunni, Shiite, Druze, Orthodox, Catholic, and all minorities

Language: Arabic is the official language of the state, while preserving the heritage of other languages (French, Armenian, Syriac...).

Cultural heritage: Protecting all cultural heritage and social traditions specific to each community.

Opposition rights: Political opposition is a sacred right - our system protects political minorities from the tyranny of the majority.

Women's rights: Full equality in political, economic, and social rights

Youth rights: Genuine youth representation in the decision-making system

Elderly rights: Dignity of life and guaranteed retirement for every Lebanese citizen

Rights of Lebanese migrants: Expatriate participation in political life and remote voting

Chapter Fourteen: Transparency and Credibility

Everything we promise in this program is linked to rigorous verification mechanisms:

• Every promise of improvement is accompanied by objective, measurable indicators.
• Publishing quarterly reports to measure progress in front of the public
• All regulatory finances are fully transparent – where they come from and where they go.
• DirectDemocracyS does not accept any funding from entities whose interests conflict with the interests of the people.
• Every major decision is presented to the groups and is subject to a vote before implementation.

 

Conclusion: Lebanon faces a historic choice

Lebanon is a country that has produced some of the greatest poets, thinkers, merchants, and teachers. A country that transformed its deserts into paradises and its mountains into summer resorts for the world. A country that taught the Arabs to read and write. This nation does not deserve its current state.

The Lebanese crisis is not fate. It is the result of flawed human choices made by corrupt elites, and it can be changed by sound human choices made by the people themselves. DirectDemocracyS does not promise utopia or sell illusions. It promises a methodology, tools, and principles. The rest is in the hands of the Lebanese people, in whom DirectDemocracyS has complete faith.

The present moment—after the election of a new president, the formation of a new government, and the end of the armed conflict—is a rare opportunity. Either this chance is seized for genuine and radical change, or it is squandered, returning to the same old cycle. Time waits for no one. The people wait for no one. And history does not offer second chances.

Lebanon's wealth—its oil, gas, people, heritage, and strategic location—belongs to the Lebanese people alone. Not to sectarian groups, elites, or regional powers. DirectDemocracyS guarantees this principle through its system, its tools, and its democracy. Join us in building the Lebanon the Lebanese deserve.

DirectDemocracyS - Global Direct Democracy

www.directdemocracys.org

"True power lies with the people - always and forever."