Libya: A Modern History

Description

First published in 1981, Libya: A Modern History traces the history of Libya from 1900 to 1980, showing how its first monarchic constitution was modelled by the UN Commission, and survived precariously until the military coup of 1969. The author traces both internal and foreign policy in detail, devoting over half the book to the rule of Colonel Gadafi, in one of the few independent accounts of the Jamahiriyah. He demonstrates the roots of Gadafi’s ideology in ancient Libyan traditions while defining the unique elements of his regime with its militarism and unorthodox diplomacy. He analyses the roots of Jamahiriyah’s strength in the oil of the desert and provides statistics on population and economy. It is a comprehensive treatment of a nation that is sui generis among the Arab countries. This is an important read for students and scholars of international relations, African studies, African history, and Geopolitics. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Preface 1: A Buffer State of Sand 2: Fourth Shore 3: A Child of the United Nations 4: Towards Independence 5: The Kingdom of Libya 6: At a Single Blow 7: A Year of Revolution 8: Taking the World by Storm 9: The State of the Masses 10: Defence and Foreign Policy 11: The Oil Revolution 12: Economy and Society Postscript Bibliography: Main Sources Consulted Index