In the early 1920s, Antoun Saadeh perceived the two existential dangers threatening the Syrian Nation: the expansionist Zionist threat and the obliterating Turkish threat. He warned that “the Jews will not be satisfied with seizing Palestine, for Palestine is not enough to house millions of Jews,” meaning that the Zionist project seeks expansion at the expense of all Syrian land.[1] As for the Turkish threat, it manifested in persistent ambitions toward Syrian territory, especially after stripping Syria of its sovereignty over the Sanjak of Alexandretta. Facing these fateful challenges, Saadeh saw the nation standing at a crossroads between “life and death,” and believed that the responsibility for revival rested on the shoulders of its own sons.[2]

Saadeh’s response to these challenges was neither impulsive nor emotional; it was the product of a profound strategic vision attuned to the reality of a fragmented nation drowning in ignorance and dependency. Under harsh political conditions—where social life was “prohibited by law,” gatherings banned, and espionage rampant—Saadeh realized that confronting the organized Zionist project required an organized renaissance project. Thus, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) was founded as a disciplined, clandestine movement carrying a comprehensive mission to resurrect a Syrian national-social renaissance.

The National Question and the Ever-Renewed Aim of Foundation

The SSNP distinguished itself from all other political groups by grounding its existence in a comprehensive national vision. It was not merely a political party in the traditional sense, but an expression of the nation’s will to live in freedom and dignity. Through its new ethical principles, the Party upheld the cause that unites all the nation’s children, expressing its deepest needs and highest interests.

Notably, Saadeh did not regard independence as an end in itself, but as a means to achieving a beautiful life. “Independence for the sake of independence is not an aim for us.” [3] The true aim has always been “to improve our life and elevate it,” [4] and to establish a new order that makes life “higher, better, and more beautiful.”[5] This essential distinction makes the Party a comprehensive civilizational project, not merely a passing political movement.

Establishing the Idea of the Nation: The True Beginning of the Renaissance

Saadeh realized that the first step toward a renaissance begins with “establishing the idea of the nation.”[6] Without clarity on this concept, all reform efforts remain crippled. It was necessary to answer the question “Who are we?” before embarking on any transformative project. Saadeh articulated a clear definition of the Syrian Nation as a natural, self-standing unit in which land and people are bound in a vital, indivisible relationship.

The Ongoing Act of Foundation

The act of foundation did not end with the formal establishment of the Party; it evolved into a continuous process carried forward by the adherents of the national-social doctrine, generation after generation. This act manifests through several pathways:

1. Spreading National Awareness

Educational and cultural work constitutes the fundamental pillar for the continuation of the Renaissance project. In Saadeh’s vision, culture is not an intellectual luxury but an act of resistance, reform, and transformation. It is the true guarantee of society’s resilience and spiritual unity, and the effective instrument for liberating minds from outdated ideas and sectarian divisions. Renaissance culture relies on correct knowledge and critical thinking, striving to form the “new social human”—full of virtue and capable of creativity and innovation.

2. Consolidating a Culture of Giving

Against the expanding selfish, acquisitive tendencies of individuals, establishing a culture of giving becomes an existential necessity. Giving is not merely an ethical virtue; it is a necessary condition for liberating the self from egocentrism and binding the individual to the destiny and vital cause of his nation.

3. Strengthening Confidence

Confidence is the cornerstone of national construction, for it is—according to Saadeh—the essence of true nationalism: “Nationalism is nothing but a people’s confidence in themselves and the nation’s reliance on itself.”[7] Through confidence, latent energies become tangible achievements, and collective giving becomes a productive force. With the loss of confidence, communities disintegrate, sacrifice disappears, and the nation becomes unable to build itself.

Solid Foundations for a Comprehensive Renaissance

A renaissance does not rise on thought and emotion alone; it requires firm foundations:

The New Moral Mentality

Morality is a necessary condition for the preservation and advancement of society; without it, no nation can build its greatness. Saadeh emphasized that “every political or military plan, no matter how ingenious, cannot be realized without morals capable of carrying that plan.”[8] The new morals ensure the realization of the common good and grant the nation “firmness of resolve, intensity of faith, and strength of will,” [9] making its principles dearer than life itself.

National Institutions

Saadeh’s work was distinguished by establishing the basis for disciplined, institutional work. He considered that “the creation of institutions and the formulation of legislation are among [his] greatest works after founding the national cause.” [10] These institutions were not hollow administrative structures but effective tools for carrying the principles of new life and achieving national aims.

Working for the Nation’s Interest

Saadeh placed the principle of “Syria’s interest above every interest” as a firm basis for national action, urging the transcendence of narrow and factional interests. He called upon the youth and the “enlightened class” to work with sincerity and sacrifice to reform our national life and realize the higher interest of the nation.

A Productive Economy

A renaissance requires transforming society into a productive nation that makes science, work, and creativity the foundation of progress. Scientific knowledge and the critical mind are the tools of civilizational elevation, while productive work ensures economic sovereignty. Intellectual and technical creativity enable the nation to keep pace with the era and contribute to shaping its future. Thus, the Renaissance becomes a tangible reality that restores the nation’s civilizational role and secures its true independence.

Conclusion: Toward a Bright Future

On the anniversary of the foundation of the SSNP, we recall Saadeh’s immortal call: “To this struggle I call you!” The nation’s sole hope lies in diligent work, continuous struggle, and returning to the principles of the Renaissance that unite us in a single cause and a lofty aim.

Today, as the nation faces existential challenges—foremost among them the Zionist project seeking to fragment and subjugate it—the need for Saadeh’s comprehensive renaissance project becomes urgent once again. Only through a renaissance that restores the nation’s unity and will, revives its inherent strengths, and rebuilds its internal cohesion can it confront these challenges and build a bright future that restores its dignity and rightful place among nations.

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