From revolution to humanitarian work. Conversions of Syrian activists exiled in Lebanon

This article investigates the modulations, continuities, and discontinuities of activism in a context of war and exile. The case examined is the transition from dissident activism to humanitarian work, based on the study of trajectories of Syrian activists exiled in Lebanon. After they left Syria, where they participated in the uprising against the regime, in Lebanon some of these activists engaged in humanitarian action in order to help the most destitute refugees. The aim of this study is to question the way that context influences the trajectories of these activists, by analyzing the emergence of a new activism offer. This transition is thus characterized by a professionalization of activism. An interpretive sociological approach invites us to consider the way these actors give meaning to the modulation of their activism, as a continuity of their commitment for a “Syrian cause,” from now on characterized by a withdrawal of the dissident dimension in favor of a humanitarian discourse.