To complete the analytical framework for understanding why Lebanon is a vassal state, the identity factor is key.

While the foundations of sovereignty are internal factors within the control of the Lebanese population, regional geopolitical are external factors that can amplify and worsen weaknesses in the domestic factors.

The identity factor can make or break the direction and agency of the local population with respect to all these other moving variables, playing a decisive role in determining final outcomes.

Individual identity refers to one’s perception and way of defining themselves, in relation to other social groups and the universe. It provides a sense of belonging and purpose to the individual. It is essentially a combination of psychological and material factors acting in conjunction on a metaphysical level.

Identities evolve over time and are multi-layered. Most individuals hold multiple sense of identities to various groups. When an individual has balanced identities, he has a sense of purpose and direction, bringing soul, spirit and mind in alignment.

Social identities are the product of the aggregate collective consciousness of individual identities. They evolve over time, according to shifting cultural, political and economic variables.

Since the tribes of Lebanon have been open to various cultures throughout history, they have also gotten used to constantly shifting their identities. National consciousness evolved, disevolved, disappeared and reappeared across centuries.

With the lack of strong state structures governing Lebanon in most of its history, tribal social frameworks are in essence a consequence of a lack of national unity and state administration.

This has made the tribes of Lebanon prone to bandwagoning on foreign geopolitical movements, as has been seen over the last century.