A Conversation Between Tone-Deaf Rivals: A Phenomenological Study of Lebanon’s National Dialogue

National dialogue in Lebanon is an engaging practice vital in times of instability. This research addresses the complexities and challenges inherent in Lebanon's consociational political landscape through a qualitative analysis of the dialogue processes. Despite Lebanon's reliance on dialogues to navigate high tensions and conflict, this study finds that such dialogues still need to address the core issues, including enhancing security, unity, reform, transparency, and elections. The influence of Lebanon's confessional elites, deeply rooted in its sectarian divisions, further complicates the political efforts toward achieving comprehensive and equitable solutions. This study argues that national dialogues in Lebanon are a political concept and a process that can enhance communication patterns, facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement, and bring about significant outcomes. However, the repetitive failure of the participants in national dialogues to build a strong consensus on sensitive topics and strengthen government institutions demonstrates a critical gap in Lebanon's political dialogue processes. In-depth interviews with 41 individuals involved in various dialogue patterns provide insights into the shortcomings and potentials of Lebanon's approach to consensus-building and political dialogue. Lastly, given Lebanon's continuous crisis, this research underscores the urgent and pressing need for more effective and immediate policies to govern the practice of national dialogues. These policies could pave the way for a stable and prosperous future, emphasizing the significance of an inclusive approach to decision-making that transcends sectarian divisions. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of dialogue in Lebanon's political discourse, offering valuable insights for future studies on dialogical interaction aiming at conflict resolution and political stability.