semantic property serious problem which is a possible result of such unusual event. Therefore, scandal and spectacle are the expressions which are more suitable to
represent the invasion of Iraq compared to spectacle. The table below shows the semantic property of spectacle, scandal, and incident.
spectacle scandal
incident unusual event
+ +
+ strong disapproval
± +
+ serious problem
- ±
+ Table 17. Semantic properties of spectacle, scandal, and incident
16. Shortsightedness
Lexically, shortsightedness means not thinking enough about how an action will affect the future. This expression was used by Bashar al-Assad to describe his
oppositions in regards to their lack of understanding about his country A13. Shortsightedness implies that a person is not able to examine a situation and therefore
acts rather spontaneously even though he has no basis for such action. The problem with the expression is that Assad’s opponents are much more complicated than being
shortsighted. In reality, the conflict between Assad and his oppositions arises due to the way Assad rules Syria. Both parties have different ways in seeing how and by
whom the nation should be run. Therefore, the actions of his opponents are not due to them being shortsighted or not being able to examine a situation. It is rather because
the opponents refuse to accept the situation Assad had created for Syria. Furthermore,
when Assad’s oppositions decided to do everything in their capacity to depose him, they know exactly that civil war is inevitable yet they are willing to take the chance.
It is thus oversimplified to say that the reason Assad’s opponents attack his regime is their shortsightedness.
Intolerance means when you refuse to accept ideas, beliefs or behavior that are different from your own. Unlike shortsightedness, intolerance contains the
semantic property to refuse other values. This semantic property does not exist in shortsightedness since it only implies inability to examine a situation rather than
refusal to accept a particular situation. This expression is more likely to portray the reason why Assad’s opponents are so persistent to bring him down.
Illiberalness means not allowing people to think and act as they choose. Compared to shortsightedness, this expression contains the semantic property to
refuse other values and to disallow others’ choices. Intolerance might also mean to refuse other values, just like illiberalness but it does not necessarily reach the point of
disallowing. It only implies refusal to believe in other values which are different from the ones he has. In reality, the rebel forces and the international society have been
condemning and disallowing Assad’s conducts. The International Criminal Court has called for his presence in regards to war crime allegations. Moreover, many countries
have sanctioned and embargoed Syria in order to punish Assad as well as to trigger Assad’s change of behaviors because many of his actions violated International
Humanitarian Law. Thus, even though all of the three expressions imply a narrow mind, illiberalness is more explicit to portray what is actually going on with Assad’s
