Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T21:42:14.173Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Ideology of Mu'ammar Al-Qadhdhafi: Theory and Practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2009

Ronald Bruce St John
Affiliation:
Institute of International Studies Bradley University

Extract

While the literature on ideology is long-standing and considerable, it is also very controversial. On the one hand, the term ideology remains in such poor repute that many authors apologize for using it or substitute other words or expressions. On the other, many scholars employ the term without definition as though its meaning was well understood.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

NOTES

1 Bendix, Reinhard, “The Age of Ideology: Persistent and Changing,” in Apter, David E., ed., Ideology and Discontent (New York, 1964), pp. 294295;Google ScholarRejwan, Nissim, Nasserist Ideology: Its Exponents and Critics (Jerusalem, 1974), p. 1.Google Scholar

2 Blanksten, George I., “Ideology and Nation-Building in the Contemporary World,” International Studies Quarterly, 11, 1 (03 1967), p. 3;CrossRefGoogle ScholarAlmond, Gabriel A. and Powell, G. Bingham Jr, Comparative Politics: A Developmental Approach (Boston, 1966), pp. 125126.Google Scholar

3 Strausz-Hupé, Robert and Possony, Stefan T., International Relations (New York, 1950), p. 421.Google Scholar

4 Inkeles, Alex, Public Opinion in Soviet Russia: A Study in Mass Persuasion (Cambridge, Mass., 1950). p. 21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

5 The national leader has been described as the individual who “always sets the tone and articulates the main thematic qualities of what might be called the official ideology.” Bill, James A. and Leiden, Carl. The Middle East: Politics and Power (Boston, 1974), P. 228. Qadhdhafi largely occupied this role from the early days of the revolution and totally dominated it by the mid-1970s.Google Scholar

6 The Libyan Revolution in the Words of Its Leaders: Proclamations, Statements, Addresses, Declarations, and Interviews from September I to Announcement of the Counter-Plot (December 10),” Middle East Journal, 24, 2 (Spring 1970), p. 203.Google Scholar

7 Ansell, Meredith O. and al-Arif, Ibrahim Massaud, eds., The Libyan Revolution, A Sourcebook of Legal and Historical Documents, Vol. I: I September 1969 – 30 August 1970 (Stoughton, Wisc., 1972), pp. 6369.Google Scholar

8 Qadhdhafi's early practice of repeating Nāsir's speeches almost verbatim, regardless of the changes in time and circumstances, became a standing joke in the Arab world. First, Ruth, Libya: The Elusive Revolution (Harmondsworth, Middlesex, 1974). p. 218.Google Scholar Sensitive to such criticism, Qadhdhafi described the Libyan revolution as a “continuation” of Nāsir's revolution but not a mirror image. He explained, “the Egyptian charter is not a Koran and is liable to change.” Ansell and al-Arif. Libyan. p. 280.Google Scholar

9 Farley, Rawle. Planning for Development in Libya: The Exceptional Economy in the Developing World (New York. 1971). pp. 313320.Google Scholar

10 The government structure outlined in the temporary constitution has become largely irrelevant to the system of people's committees and revolutionary committees which developed after 1973. I have discussed the evolution of the current system of government elsewhere; and while the popular revolution in government is a part of Qadhdhafi's ideology, there is no need to repeat that discussion here. Alexander, Nathan [Ronald Bruce St John, “Libya: The Continuous Revolution,” Middle Eastern Studies, 17, 2 (04 1981). pp. 210227.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

11 The Libyan Arab Republic. Ministry of Information and Culture. Delivered by Col. el-Gadhafi, Mo'ammar: I. The Broadlines of the Third Theory; 2. The Aspects of the Third Theory; 3. The Concept of Jihad; 4. The Divine Concept of Islam (Tripoli, 1973), pp. 4142.Google Scholar Uncritical enthusiasm for the potentialities of the Arab people and the Arab world has characterized the writings of most Arab nationalists since the turn of the century. For example, see the works of Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi. one of the precursors of Arab nationalism. Haim, Sylvia G.. ed., Arab Nationalism: An Anthology (Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1962), pp. 7880.Google Scholar

12 Foreign Broadcast Information Services. Daily Report: Middle East and North Africa (hereafter FBIS-MEA) Washington, 4 March 1981. P. 110.Google Scholar

13 Ansell and al-Arif, Libyan. especially pp. 79 and 83;Google ScholarFBIS-MEA, 13 November 1978. P. 12;Google Scholar9 June 1980. p. 13. and 4 March 1982. p. Q3;Google ScholarThe Jamahiriya Mail (Tripoli). November 18. 1978.Google Scholar The argument that foreign powers are responsible for all that is unfortunate or bad in the Arab world has also been a common theme among Arab nationalists. Malik, Charles, “The Near East: The Search for Truth.” in Haim, Arab, p. 220.Google Scholar

14 Ansell and al-Arif, Libyan, p. 88;Google ScholarNyrop, Richard F., et al. , Area Handbook for Libya, 2nd. ed. (Washington. 1973). p. 175.Google Scholar

15 Gadhafī, Broadlines, pp. 28–29.Google Scholar

16 Ashiurakis, Ahmed M., A Concise History of the Libyan Struggle for Freedom (Tripoli, 1976), pp. 8287;Google ScholarHayford, Elizabeth R.. “The Politics of the Kingdom of Libya in Historical Perspective,” unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Tufts University. 1971. pp. 425 and 483–484.Google Scholar

17 Ansell and al-Arif, Libyan, pp. 102–104;Google ScholarProgressive Libya, July 1973, p. 2 and September–October 1973. pp. 1 and 9–11.Google Scholar

18 Ansell and al-Arif, Libyan, p. 87.Google Scholar

19 Progressive Libya, February 1973. p. 4;Google ScholarFBIS-MEA, 4 September 1980. p. 11;Google ScholarMiddle East Economic Digest, 26, 12 (19–25 March 1982). p. 32.Google Scholar

20 By late 1973. Qadhdhafi was able to boast that his policy had succeeded in isolating Israel from Africa. Mu'Ammar el Qathafi, Discourses, (Valetta, Malta, 1975), pp. 32 and 118–119.Google Scholar

21 Gadhafi. Broadlines. p. 14; “Interview with Colonel Kaddafi,” Progressive Libya, May–June 1976. pp. 1–2.Google Scholar

22 St John, Ronald Bruce and Gorman, Stephen M., “Challenges to Peruvian Foreign Policy,” in Gorman, Stephen M., ed., Post-Revolutionary Peru: The Politics of Transformation (Boulder, Col., 1982), pp. 179183.Google Scholar

23 Qathafi, Muammar Al, The Green Book, Part III, The Social Basis of the Third Universal Theory (Tripoli, 1979).Google ScholarQadhdhafi has persistently denied an economic basis for his theory. “Gathafi's Press Conference in Paris,” Progressive Libya, November–December 1973, p. 4.Google Scholar

24 Ajami, Fouad, The Arab Predicament: Arab Political Thought and Practice Since 1967 (Cambridge, 1981), pp. 199200.Google ScholarFor an introduction to the Third Universal Theory, see the speech given by Qadhdhafi to the opening session of the International Conference of Youth in Tripoli on 14 May 1973. FBIS-MEA, 16 May 1973, pp. T1–T9 and 12 August 1980, p. 11.Google ScholarThe Libyan Arab Republic, Ministry of Information and Culture (hereafter LAR), The Fundamentals of the Third International Theory (Tripoli, 1974), pp. 3 and 14–16.Google Scholar

25 “Al-Qadhdhafi Ties His Policies to Koran,” Al-Fajr al-Jadid, Tripoli, 19 February 1978.Google ScholarU.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Technical Services, Joint Publications Research Service(Washington) 70813, No. 1772, 21 February 1978, p. 130. Hereafter JPRS.Google Scholar

26 Gadhafi, Aspects of the Third Theory, p. 38.Google Scholar

27 Gadhafi, Divine Concept, pp. 86–117; Libyan Arab Republic, Ministry of Information and Culture, The Third International Theory: The Divine Concept of Islam and the Popular Revolution in Libya (Tripoli, 1973), pp. 11–15. Qadhdhafi's catholic concept of Islam is not new, as similar ideas were expressed by Antun Sa'adah, the founder of the Syrian Nationalist Party, and the Ba'th ideologue Zaki Arsuzi.Google Scholar

28 FBIS-ME4, 21 August 1980, pp. 12–16.Google Scholar In contrast, Michel 'Aflaq of the Syrian Ba'th Party argued that Arab nationalism comprehends Islam but is superior to it. Binder, Leonard, The Ideological Revolution in the Middle East (New York, 1964), p. 168.Google Scholar

29 Qadhdhafi has stated that the first chapter of The Green Book is his interpretation of a phrase from the Koran, “They shall run their affairs by consultation.” JPRS 70813, No. 1772, pp. 130–131.Google ScholarFBIS-MEA, 1 September 1981, pp. Q10–Q13;Google ScholarAl-Fajr al-Jadid, July 4, 1978, p. 4.Google Scholar Sayyid Jamal al-Din al-Afghani also found inspiration in the Koran for a democratic consultative assembly. Khadduri, Majid, Political Trends in the Arab World: The Role of Ideas and Ideals in Politics (Baltimore, 1979), pp. 2930.Google Scholar

30 Gadhafi, Aspects of the Third Theory, pp. 42–43;Google ScholarJPRS 70813, No. 1772, pp. 135–136 and 140;Google ScholarFBIS-MEA, 14 July 1980, p. 11;Google ScholarAl-Fajr al-Jadid, February 20, 1978, p. 3.Google Scholar

31 Evans-Pritchard, E. E., The Sanusi of Cyrenaica (Oxford, 1949), pp. 128;Google ScholarZiadeh, Nicola A., Sanusiyah: A Study of a Revivalist Movement in Islam (Leiden, 1968), Pp. 7398.Google Scholar

32 Deeb, Marius K. and Deeb, Mary Jane, Libya Since the Revolution: Aspects of Social and Political Development (New York, 1982), pp. 93108;Google ScholarFBIS-MEA, 14 July 1980, p. 11;Google ScholarDahmani, Abdelaziz, “Qui gouverne en Libye?Jeune Afrique, 933 (22 11 1978), pp. 7477;Google ScholarBerger, Morroe, Islam in Egypt Today: Social and Political Aspects of Popular Religion (Cambridge, 1970), pp. 4647, 60–61, and 128–129.Google Scholar

33 FBIS-MEA, 25 January 1982, p. Q4; 12 August 1980, p. 11 and 18 June 1980, p. 12; Deeb and Deeb, Libya, pp. 103–104.Google Scholar

34 Gadhafi, Concept of Jihad, p. 53.Google Scholar

35 FBIS-MEA, 18 October 1978, pp. 16–17 and 11 March 1981, p. Q3.Google Scholar

36 Ansell and al-Arif, Libyan, pp. 115–117. An Association for the Propagation of Islam was also founded in 1970 to train Muslim missionaries. By 1977, the Association had reportedly fielded 350 missionaries, only two of which were Libyans. Daniel Pipes, “No One Likes the Colonel,” The American Spectator, 14, 3 (March 1981), pp. 18–22.Google Scholar

37 Ansell and al-Arif, Libyan, p. 131.Google Scholar

38 “The Libyan Revolution in the Words of its Leaders,” MEJ, pp. 218–219; FBIS-MEA, 10 December 1979, p. 11; 15 May 1981, pp. Q3–Q7, and 5 March 1982, p. Q7; Qathafi, Discourses, pp. 48–49.Google Scholar

39 “Col. El-Gathafi's Press Conference,” Progressive Libya, June 1973, p. 8;Google ScholarFallaci, Oriana, “Iranians are Our Brothers: An Interview with Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya,” New York Times Magazine, 12 16, 1979, p. 125.Google Scholar

40 Rouleau, Eric, “The Palestinian Quest,” Foreign Affairs, 53, 2 (01, 1975), pp. 264283.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

41 FBIS-MEA, 4 March 1981, p. 111.Google Scholar

42 Binder, Ideological Revolution, p. 241.Google Scholar

43 Ibid., pp. 240–251.

44 LAR, Fundamentals, pp. 5–6; FBIS-MEA, 4 March 1981, p. 110 and 14 May 1979, p. 15.Google Scholar

45 Qathafi, Discourses, pp. 25–29, 47, and 87; Gadhafi, Broadlines, pp. 9–14, 23–26; Libyan Arab Republic. Ministry of Information and Culture, The Revolution of lst September. The Fourth Anniversary (Benghazi, 1973), p. 250.Google Scholar

46 FBIS-MEA, 15 May 1981, pp. Q4–Q5;Google ScholarSt John, Ronald Bruce, “Libya's Foreign and Domestic Policies,” Current History, 80, 470 (12 1981). pp. 426427.Google Scholar

47 LAR, Revolution. pp. 246–250 and 260; Progressive Libya, May–June 1975, pp. 2–3; FBIS MEA, 5 March 1980, p. 13.Google Scholar

48 St John, Ronald Bruce, “The Soviet Penetration of Libya,” The World Today, 38. 4 (04 1982), pp. 131138;Google ScholarFBIS-MEA, 12 June 1979. p. 13 and 30 April 1981, pp. Q1–Q3.Google Scholar

49 FB1S-MEA, 12 October 1978, p. 16; 27 July 1981, p. Q1; and 2 September 1981. pp. Q12–Q14; Middle East Economic Digest, 25, 36(4–10 September 1981). p. 26.Google Scholar

50 Devlin, John F., The Ba'th Party: A History from Its Origins to 1966 (Stanford, 1966), pp.2345;Google ScholarKaylani, Nabil M.. “The Rise of the Syrian Ba'th, 1940–1958: Political Success, Party Failure,” International Journal of Middle East Studies, 3, 1 (01 1972). p. 6.Google Scholar

51 Ajami, Fouad. “The End of Pan-Arabism,” Foreign Affairs, 57, 2 (Winter 1978/1979), p. 357;CrossRefGoogle ScholarHeikal, Mohammad Hassanein, “Egyptian Foreign Policy,” Foreign Affairs, 56, 4 (07 1978), pp. 719722.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

52 The Libyan Arab Republic. Ministry of Information and Culture, Aspects of First of September Revolution (Tripoli. 1973). pp. 9–11;Google ScholarQathafi. Discourses. pp. 69–90;Google ScholarFBIS-MEA 5 March 1980, p. 17 and 9 June 1980, p. 12.Google Scholar

53 For more details on these merger attempts see Alexander, Nathan [Ronald Bruce St John, “The Foreign Policy of Libya: Inflexibility Amid Change.” Orhis, 24, 4 (Winter 1981), pp. 832838.Google Scholar Ba'th ideology envisioned a union of Arab countries whose progress was obstructed by their lack of capital and natural resources with their better-endowed neighbors. Torrey, Gordon H.. “The Ba'th-ldeology and Practice,” Middle East Journal, 23, 4 (Autumn 1969), p. 451.Google Scholar

54 FBIS-MEA, 2 September 1980, p. 13; 10 September 1980, pp. 14–17 and 2 September 1981, pp. Q4–Q5; Middle East Economic Digest, 24, 51/52 (19–25 December 1980), p. 98.Google Scholar

55 LAR, Revolution, p. 261; FBIS-MEA, 21 January 1981, p. 19 and 8 March 1982, pp. Q2–Q6; New York Times. May 27, 1982 and August 9, 1982.Google Scholar

56 Binder. Ideological Revolution, p. 182. Michel 'Aflaq believed the doctrines of socialism and nationalism were “fused into one entity.” Torrey. “The Ba'th-ldeoIogy and Practice,” p. 451.Google Scholar

57 Qathafi, Discourses, pp. 115–116; Al-Fajr al-Jadid, April 16. 1973.Google Scholar

58 Ansell and al-Arif, Libyan, pp. 64–65, 253, and 261; LAR, Third International Theory, pp. 17–18; Deeb and Deeb. Libya, p. 113.Google Scholar

59 LAR. Fundamentals, pp. 8–10; Ansell and al-Arif. Libyan. p. 74;Google ScholarDekmejian, R. Hrair, Egypt Under Nasir: A Study in Political Dynamics (Albany, New York, 1971), pp. 132133.Google Scholar

60 LAR, Revolution, pp. 127–133 and 158–161; Progressive Libya, December 1972, pp. 2–4 and July–August 1975, pp. 4–6;Google ScholarAllan, J. A., Libya: The Experience of Oil (London, 1981), pp. 221231;Google ScholarFBIS-MEA. 14 November 1980. p. 11 and 15 April 1981, p. Q1.Google Scholar

61 Hayford. “Politics of the Kingdom of Libya,” p. 449; Allan, Libya. pp. 159–164;Google ScholarWright, John, Libya: A Modern History (Baltimore, 1982), pp. 113114 and 272–273.Google Scholar

62 Bennett, Valerie Plave. “Libyan Socialism,” in Desfosses, Helen and Levesque, Jacques, eds., Socialism in the Third World (New York, 1975), p. 103;Google ScholarAllan, Libya, pp. 223–224;Google ScholarO'Brien, Patrick, The Revolution in Egypt's Economic System: From Private Enterprise to Socialism, 1952–1965 (London, 1966), p. 200.Google Scholar

63 An in-depth discussion of Libyan oil policy is beyond the scope of this paper, see Waddams, Frank G., The Libyan Oil Industry (London, 1980).Google Scholar

64 For a penetrating analysis of Qadhdhafi's economic policies see Allan, Libya, pp. 179–316. FBISMEA, 12 February 1979. pp. 12–13 and 17 April 1979, pp. 12–13;Google Scholar Omar I. el Fathaly, Palmer, Monte, and Chackerian, Richard, Political Development and Bureaucracy in Libya (Lexington, Mass., 1977), pp. 1921 and 36–38;Google ScholarWright, Libya, p. 263.Google Scholar

65 al-Qadhafi, Muammar, The Green Book, Part II, The Solution of the Economic Problem: “Socialism”(London, 1978);Google ScholarFBIS-MEA, 5 March 1979, p. 13.Google Scholar

66 FBIS-MEA, 18 October 1978, p. 15; 12 February 1979, pp. 12–13; 18 June 1980, p. 12 and 9 March 1981, p. Q1. Ba'th socialism also limited ownership of buildings to what could be personally used. Exploitation by means of renting was expressly prohibited. Torrey, “The Ba'th Ideology and Practice,” p. 251. For the effects of these measures on the Libyan economy see St John, “Libya's Foreign and Domestic Policies,” p. 429.Google Scholar

67 Allan, Libya, p. 244.Google Scholar

68 al-Qadhafi, Muammar, The Green Book, Part I, The Solution of the Problem of Democracy: “The Authority of the People” (London, 1976), pp. 3747.Google Scholar

69 O'Brien, The Revolution in Egypt's Economic System, pp. 313–316;Google ScholarRejwan, Nasserist Ideology pp. 70 and 95.Google Scholar

70 Devlin, The Ba'th Party, pp. 42 and 93; Kaylani, “The Rise of the Syrian Ba'th,” p. 7.Google Scholar

71 Babikian, N. Salem, “A Partial Reconstruction of Michel 'Aflaq's Thoght,” The Muslim World, LXVII, 4 (10 1977), p. 292.Google Scholar

72 St John, “Libya: The Continuous Revolution,” pp. 210–227.Google Scholar