This study examines the concept and implementation of the rentierstate theory, and it aims to conduct a historical background analysis of the political developments in Syria, with a specific focus on the authoritarian rule of the Al-Assad family and its role in the onset of the ongoing civil war. By examining the governance periods of Hafez al-Assad and his son Bashar al-Assad, the political, economic, and social factors shaping Syria's transition into a predatory state are analyzed. The civil war, which erupted in 2011 in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, is scrutinized with an emphasis on its complexity and root causes. The thesis also provides an overview of prior research on Syria, with an emphasis on political, economic, and conflict studies. The research and analysis methodology employed is qualitative, relying on a thorough review of a qualitative literature review.