Tribalism and Democracy in Libya
State Building and Identity After Gaddafi
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
This book examines the political and social role of tribes in post-Gaddafi Libya, focusing on the current democratic state-building process. It integrates both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including a survey of 1,000 respondents and in-depth interviews with 14 prominent Libyan figures. The study is supported by a comprehensive review of the historical development of Libyan tribes, revealing their longstanding prominence in local governance. Drawing from various International Relations (IR) theories—such as Realism, Constructivism, Liberalism, and Feminism—and interdisciplinary fields like anthropology, history, psychology, and literature, the book argues that while tribalism can challenge democratic state-building, especially in areas like national security and individual rights, it also provides vital social cohesion, or asabbiyyah, which is crucial for Libyan national identity.
The book's originality lies in its interdisciplinary approach, exploring tribalism's impact not only on Libya's internal politics but also its international relations. It introduces concepts like liminality and tribal ambiguity to explain the complex and often contradictory attitudes towards tribalism in modern Libyan society. This analysis challenges Libyan readers to confront their ambivalence towards tribalism and reflects on its role in shaping Libya's future as it strives for democracy and global integration.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half-Title Page
- Series Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgments
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Getting On and Off the Verandah: A Case for Interdisciplinarity
- 2 Footsteps in the Sand: Libyan Tribes during the Colonial Eras
- 3 Oil and Sandstorms: Tribalism in Independent Libya
- 4 State versus Tribal Borders: Problems of Irredentism in the Post-Gaddafi Libyan State-Building Process
- 5 Having One’s Cake while Eating it: Ambivalence towards Tribalism in Post-2011 Libya
- 6 A State-within-a-Tribe and a Tribe-within-a-State: Aspects of Liminality in Modern Libya
- 7 Democracy or Bedouinocracy?: Tensions between Liberal Democracy and Tribal Collective Values in Modern Libya
- Conclusion
- Appendices
- Glossary
- Index