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A Comparative Analysis of Antoun Saadeh’s Philosophy and Karl Marx’s Dogma

By Nour Chammas

In the explanation to the First Fundamental Principle of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, Antoun Saadeh states that when, at the outset of his nationalist consciousness, he began “to give serious thought to the resuscitation of our nation against the background of the irresponsible political movements rampant in its midst, it became forthwith certain to me that our most urgent problem was the determination of our national identity and our social reality.”[1]  In other words, the loss of national identity caused Syrians at large to become attracted to confused thoughts and “irresponsible political movements” in search of a solution to the dire social and economic situation in which they found themselves.  Those political movements and ideological trends ranged from fragmentary sectarian, tribal groups to over-expansive Arab nationalist and internationalist Marxist and other leftist organizations. 

The Literary Comrade Mohammad Yousef Hammoud

December 1948

The hearts, tongues, pens, and ears became accustomed to believing, saying, writing, and hearing that the immortal verses of the prophets along with their miracles and victories were merely inspirations inspired, wills dictated, and victories achieved by God.  This belief became fixed in the hearts and minds of the people as a deep, reassuring faith, which strips the “messenger” of his personal genius, individual will, and heroic deeds.  Thus for every messenger an idea was imprinted in the minds of the people that he is an ordinary person sent by divine providence, repeating its instructions and implementing its orders.  And that without these instructions and orders he would not have been the great heroic genius that he was!

Dear Comrades in the Diaspora,

Seventy-seven years ago, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party was founded with the formation of a contractual relationship between Antoun Saadeh, the obligee, and those who accepted his call, the obligors, to achieve the aim put forth, namely “the creation of a Syrian Social Nationalist renaissance which will fulfill its declared principles and return the Syrian nation to vitality and strength; the organization of a movement seeking the complete independence of the Syrian nation and the vindication of its sovereignty; the establishment of a new order to protect its interest and raise its standard of living; and the endeavor to form an Arab front.”  This event resulted in the development of a unique nationalist movement that would transform Syrian society from its current stagnant state into a dynamic nation, allowing it to occupy its rightful place among the nations.