The Libyan Paradox »

Luis Martinez is a research fellow at the Center for International Studies and Research (CERI), Paris, and the author of The Algerian Civil War (Columbia).

The militant attitude of the United States after 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 inspired the leadership of Libya to change its confrontational attitude towards America and Europe. The regime abandoned its development of nuclear weapons and opened its economy to the West. Nevertheless, Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of the Libyan Revolution, has found ways to consolidate his hold on the country. In this controversial book, Luis Martinez suggests that the future of Libya now lies in becoming, paradoxically, what he terms an "authoritarian liberal state."

Foreword   Lisa Anderson     vii
Map     xiv
Introduction     1
From the business of revolution to a revolution in business     1
Libya: a model "conversion" of a rogue state?     4
The price of rehabilitation     8
The End of the Embargo     13
The Jamahiriya: the reckoning     14
"Halting the wheel that spins in a void"     19
The dissolution of the government and the establishment of the Sha'biyat     22
The social consequences of sanctions     24
From Arab unity to racial discrimination     25
Feelings of isolation and frustration     30
The economics of plunder     31
The "young revolutionaries" and the voyage to Malta: Rai music, sex, money and sport     35
The emergence of new economic resources     37
Conclusion     39
11 September 2001: The "Conversion" of a Regime     43
The impact of the ivasion of Iraq: fear of inclusion in the "axis of evil"     45
The effort to resume normal relations with the United States     48
The end of terrorist ambition     52
Joining the coalition in the "Global War on Terrorism"     56
The appearance of Islamist guerillas     60
The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group     61
The LIGFG's strategic deficit     68
The regime's response to armed revolt: repression, decentralisation and liberalisation     70
Conclusion     80
Gaddafi: His Power and Position     85
The bases of power     88
The maintenance of authority     91
Gaddafi's role: between the revolutionaries and the reformers     104
The United States of Africa     107
Libya and the Euro-Med partnership     111
Conclusion     113
Is the Jamahiriya Reformable?     117
Libya: a Metiterranean Eldorado?     119
Libyan blandishments     120
The curse of oil?     124
Necessary but impossible reforms     130
The foreign policy uses of oil income     133
The return of the American oil companies     134
EPSA IV     136
Strengthening relations with Europe     141
The economic costs of Libya's revolutionary policy     144
The end of the Algerian model of development     147
Conclusion     150
Conclusion: After Gaddafi?     153
Notes     159
Index      179