Baath

Baath, officially the Arab Socialist Baath Party, is a transnational Arab nationalist and socialist political movement that sought to unite Arab states into a single political entity through secular modernization and anti-imperialist aims. The name Baath, from the Arabic word for revival or resurrection, reflects the movement’s emphasis on revitalizing Arab society and unity.

Origins and ideology: The party was founded in the 1940s by Michel Aflaq and Salah al-Din al-Bitar in Damascus as a vehicle for Arab unity, social reform, and modernization. Baathism combines pan-Arab nationalism with socialist economic ideas, secular governance, and anti-colonial rhetoric. The movement spread to several Arab countries, forming separate regional branches that pursued similar ideological goals while operating within local political contexts.

Split and regional branches: A major split occurred in the mid-1960s, producing two principal factions: the Syrian-led Baath Party and the Iraqi-led Baath Party. The two branches remained allied at times but developed distinct leadership structures and policy emphases, ultimately becoming separate entities with separate state actors in Syria and Iraq.

Rule in Syria: In Syria, Baathists came to power in the 1963 coup. A 1970 coup within the party cemented Hafez al-Assad’s grip on power, and his family’s leadership continued for decades. The Syrian Baath Party has been the dominant force in the country’s politics, operating within the National Progressive Front, a regime-aligned alliance that includes allied parties.

Rule in Iraq: In Iraq, the Baath Party rose to power following the 1968 coup, with Saddam Hussein becoming president in 1979. The regime pursued nationalist and socialist policies, centralized authority, and repressive state apparatus until the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. After 2003, the party was banned in Iraq, with its activities largely marginalized or driven underground.

Present status: The Baath movement remains a significant historical and ideological influence in the Arab world. In Syria, the Baath Party remains the ruling party; in Iraq, Baathist activity is prohibited or restricted, existing primarily among dissident groups and in exile. The ideology continues to shape political discourse in parts of the region.