Hezbollah provides a new, grounded analysis of the controversial and misunderstood Lebanese party. Where previous books have focused on aspects of the party’s identity, the military question or its religious discourse, here Joseph Daher presents an alternative perspective, built upon political economy. Drawing on extensive fieldwork in Lebanon and dozens of interviews, as well as new archival and other primary sources, Daher’s analysis confidently positions Hezbollah within socio-economic and political developments in Lebanon and the Middle East. He emphasises Hezbollah’s historic ties with its main sponsor, the Islamic Republic of Iran, its media and cultural wings and its relationship with Western economic policies. Further chapters examine the party’s policies towards workers’ struggles and women’s issues, and its orientation towards the sectarian Lebanese political system. Hezbollah is a well informed and fresh analysis of a topic which remains central to our understanding of one of the world’s most tumultuous and politically unstable regions. "This is both an excellent introduction and fine analysis of Hezbollah as a political entity in Lebanon as well as a social movement. Highly recommended." ― Choice ''Most appraisals of Hezbollah from a left-wing perspective have focused, often solely, on its role in the fight against the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, thus serving the party’s own mythology. This merit of this iconoclastic book is that it endeavors to analyse Hezbollah from a historical materialist perspective.''   ― Gilbert Achcar, SOAS, University of London ''Daher has written an insightful and timely analysis of Hezbollah, situating the party within a fascinating account of the wider Lebanese political economy. An important contribution that sheds much light on contemporary politics in the Middle East.''   ― Adam Hanieh, SOAS, University of London 'Most appraisals of Hezbollah from a left-wing perspective have focused, often solely, on its role in the fight against the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, thus serving the party's own mythology. The merit of this iconoclastic book is that it endeavours to analyse Hezbollah from a historical materialist perspective' 'An insightful and timely analysis of Hezbollah, situating the party within a fascinating account of the wider Lebanese political economy. An important contribution' 'Timely...[a] well-rounded and incisive discussion of the organisation's place in the contemporary global order' 'Both an excellent introduction and fine analysis of Hezbollah as a political entity in Lebanon as well as a social movement ... Highly recommended' '[An] excellent book ... [This] book is a must-read for those seeking to understand Middle Eastern politics. It provides much needed detail and historical context for understanding the rise of one of the most important political parties in the region' 'Essential reading for anyone interested in gaining a more complete understanding of Hezbollah, or present day Lebanese politics' Joseph Daher completed a Doctorate in Development Studies at SOAS, University of London, and teaches at Lausanne University, Switzerland. He is the co-editor of  Penser l'émancipation  and co-author of  The People Demand: A Short history of the Arab Revolutions . He is founder of the blog Syria Freedom Forever , and a Syrian/Swiss leftist political activist.