The Roots of Political Deception and Its Impact on the Crises of Political Regimes in Yemen: A Historical Study from the Late 3rd to the Mid-15th Century A.H.

Abstract

Throughout Yemen’s history, from the late third century A.H. up to the present day, many rulers have practiced various forms and methods of political deception. These methods included, for example, the exploitation of religion, morality, political money, brute force, tribal fanaticism, sectarianism, regionalism, and reliance on foreign powers. All these methods served as bridges to attain or retain power, thereby securing full control over the nation’s resources: the central axis of Yemen’s long-standing struggle for authority, wealth, and dominance. The roots of political deception among Yemen’s rulers have run deep, plunging the country into endless wars; each conflict giving birth to new ones under different banners. The current political and social fragmentation and the multiplicity of loyalties across the nation are but a continuation of that same corrupt logic. The leading role in this deception has often been played by those who seized power through sect, lineage, region, or ideology, renting out national loyalty to foreign interests; all in pursuit of the lust for power, which ultimately ensures control over wealth and resources. Historical evidence of such practices is abundant. Many contemporary Yemeni leaders have inherited and reproduced these deceptive methods from earlier Imams, employing them to perpetrate the ugliest forms of political manipulation, culminating in the collapse of the Yemeni state itself. This research is aimed to penetrate the untold aspects of Yemeni political life and uncover parts of the deep-rooted phenomenon of political deception and its consequences. It highlights the extraordinary capacity of power enthusiasts to manipulate public sentiment, turning society’s noble values into obedient servants of their ambitions. The study concludes that this destructive phenomenon continues to the present day, costing the Yemeni people a heavy price.