Chalang Omar*
Introduction
Since the outbreak of the popular uprising in 2011 and its subsequent transformation into a civil war, the concept of decentralization has occupied a significant place in the Syrian discourse. The Kurds were among the earliest proponents of decentralization, viewing it as the optimal model for Syria and a key to resolving its longstanding problems. In recent years, however, the call for adopting decentralization as a system of governance has grown louder, with a broader range of Syrian components and political actors embracing the idea—especially in the wake of the Baath regime’s collapse and Bashar al-Assad’s flight from power.
Over the past decade, as a result of the conflict and civil war, Syria has become effectively fragmented into multiple zones of control, each governed by distinct administrative structures and political systems. Reconstituting a unified Syrian state will require a framework capable of mending the deep fractures caused by war and addressing the damage sustained on political, social, and economic levels.
In this context, the proposal for a decentralized state emerges not merely as a transitional mechanism to help Syria overcome its crisis—one rooted in a highly centralized and authoritarian regime—but as a practical and viable solution for building a pluralistic nation. Such a nation would be founded on a new social contract that governs the relationship between the state and its diverse society—across ethnic, religious, sectarian, and cultural lines—on the basis of justice, democratic participation, and full and equal citizenship.
This vision necessitates the adoption of a constitutional mechanism—whether referred to as a system of local/regional governance, self-administration, or another suitable term—that ensures the devolution of certain powers from the central government to regional entities. The scope, structure, and content of this authority would be determined through consensus among the parties to the new social contract. Decentralized governance is not only a means of ensuring equitable distribution of power, but also a critical tool for achieving fairness in the allocation of wealth and resources, thereby enabling inclusive and sustainable development.
This model of decentralization prioritizes national economic development while placing particular emphasis on the growth and advancement of local and regional economies and their market dynamics. It envisions semi-autonomous arrangements for the management of natural resources—such as water sources and energy reserves—as well as the operation of public institutions and services, the establishment of markets and regulation of property, the founding of banks and companies, the drafting of public budgets, and the organization of revenues and expenditures, among other key functions.
