TRIBE AND TRIBALISM IN LIBYA: AN ALTERNATIVE TO CIVIL
SOCIETY
Amal Obeidi
University of Garyounis-Benghazi
Libya
Libyan society, like many other Arab societies, is based on traditional identifications
such as family, tribe, religion, and city. In such society the deeds of individuals bring
collective fame or shame to the family and tribe. Hence the good or bad reputation of
family or tribe crucially influences the lives of individuals socially, politically and
economically.
The issue of tribe and tribalism was examined among the university students in Libya.
The findings of the study showed that tribe is still a major source of personal
identification in Libyan society. The tribe is one of the strongest social organisations,
and tribalism still plays a significant social role. It may be an invisible political unit,
but it emerged as one of the main sources of legitimacy of the Libyan regime in the
last few years.
It is worth noting that the regime in Libya has been inconsistent towards the role of
tribes since the beginning of the revolution in 1969, having wavered between hostility
and respect for the role of the tribe (as social organisation, a source of security and
socialisation for individuals). From the mid 1990s the regime has re-introduced tribal
role as part of the political scene. A new institution Social Popular Leadership- was
created as part of the political system. Moreover, the increasing role of Al-Qadhafi's
tribe in sensitive military and security posts emphasised the tribal dimension in
politics.
Tid: Torsdag 30.08, kl 16.15-18
Sted: Auditorium 7, Eilert Sundts hus (A-blokka)
About the lecturer:
Dr Amal Obeidi is Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics and the head of
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Economics, University of GaryounisBenghazi, Libya. She Obtained a PhD degree from University of Durham –UK in
Middle Eastern Politics in 1997. She served for two years as Dean of Faculty of
Economics (University of Garyounis –Libya). She was recently awarded Chevening
Fellowship on Participation of Women at University College London.
Currently, she specialises in Gender issues, Public Policies, Human Rights, Civil
Society, and Security Issues especially in the Mediterranean Region.
Her publications include:
Political Culture in Libya
Identity in Libya
Libyan Security Policy Between Existence and Feasibility: An
Exploratory Study
Political Socialisation of Arab Women
The Development of Women's Movement in Libyan Society Between
Empowerment and Activation: A Documentation Study
Engendering the Higher Education Policy in Libya
Political Reform Initiatives and its Impact on Women Empowerment
Policies in Libya
Political Elites in Libya: An Exploratory Study of Elite Formation from
1969 to 2006
Political Culture of Political Elites in Libya
The Temporary Elite Phenomena in the Libyan Political System:
Composition and Characteristics.