Edgar W. Butler is Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He holds a BA in Social Science, and a Ph.D. as well. He is the author and editor of numerous books and scientific papers on related subjects. James B. Pick is professor and former chair of the department of management and business at the University of Redlands. W. James Hettrick is the director of information systems for the City of Loma Linda, California, and the president/ceo of Information Systems Management Solutions, Inc. located in Redlands, California. Edgar W. Butler is Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Riverside. He holds a BA in Social Science, and a Ph.D. as well. He is the author and editor of numerous books and scientific papers on related subjects. James B. Pick is professor and former chair of the department of management and business at the University of Redlands. W. James Hettrick is the director of information systems for the City of Loma Linda, California, and the president/ceo of Information Systems Management Solutions, Inc. located in Redlands, California.

• 1 Introduction, 2 The emergence of inter-sect rule (1516-1920) 3 Foundations of the modern state (1920-43) 4 The experience of independence (1943-67) 5 The breakdown starts (1967-75) 6 Eighteen months of civil war (1975-6) 7 A troubled inter bellum (1977-82)  8 The battles of Beirut (1982-4) 9 Conclusions: the inter-sect system enters its fifth century