Qaddafi's Libya: a politicosocioeconomic treatise, 1981

Taleb-Jeddi, Zeinab

1980-1989

This study seeks to measure the success and consistency of the Qaddafi regime in introducing basic changes and real development in Libya in accordance with the ideology of Qaddafi which has found its full expression in his Green Book dealing with the political, economic and social matters. After the 1969 coup which brought the military regime of Qaddafi to power, Libya began to experience new events in its political life. In order to realize popular democracy, Qaddafi initiated the system of peopIe's congresses and popular committees. This was designed to involve people directly in politics to fulfill the principle of self-government propounded in the Green Book I. It seemed, however, despite some degree of increased popular participation, generally mass interest in politics was lacking due to the firm control exercised from above. With the aim of achievement of self-sufficiency in its economy and eradication of dependence on foreign economies, the Qaddafi regime launched various ambitious projects. These programs, ironically tended to deepen Libya's status as a rentier state. Serious shortage of skilled manpower was seemingly aggravated by the unsound employment and educational policies. The study suggests that the development process pursued by Libya was not a self-directed and independent course, as it relied heavily on the imported highly-advanced technology and labor. Since 1969 standard of living of the Libyan people had drastically changed, quality social services were provided for the masses. Among these medical care and housing policies were the most successful ones. The onefamily one-house rule, based on the second chapter of Green Book, was particularly popular. Despite the promising short run prospects, the long term perspective for Libya was not quite bright. In its rush to realize development the present Libyan generation was dissipating resources far beyong its real needs and capacity. The study concludes that achievement of genuine change and development would not bt possible but through long term planning which would take into consideration the existing constraints of nature and shortage of human labor

text

application/pdf

1981-07-01

thesis

Master of Arts (MA)

Atlanta University

Political Science

Noble, Larry

Clark Atlanta University

Georgia--Atlanta

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1981_taleb_jeddi_zeinab