Tribe and state in the history of modern Libya: A Khaldunian reading of the development of Libya in the modern era 1711-2011

Abstract

Libya is among the few Arab countries with a social structure that has not changed and seems to have been little scathed by colonial policies in contrast with other Arab countries. This is especially true in the context of the Maghreb. Perhaps this is largely due to the deeply rooted tribal system in Libya. However, Libya has been subjected to certain transformations towards becoming a modern state. This paper attempts a reading of modern Libya in terms of its inception and development, through to its relative state of stability and fall by subjecting these issues to a Khaldunian framework of analysis. The study focuses solely on the Khaldunian principle of asabiyya (Group Feeling) and attempts to illustrate its early appearance in the formation of modern Libya. The study is based on a number of important historical events in the history of Libya in which it will be demonstrated that the principle of asabiyya was present in all forms of modern Libya from 1711 to 2011. The paper concludes with a number of suggestions for the progress of the current troubled state of Libya.