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Libya
The Cultural Revolution
Qadhafi was evidently disappointed with the failure of the Libyan
populace to embrace and practice the principles of the Third Universal
Theory. Characteristically impatient, by 1973 Qadhafi had grown
critical of the people's lack of revolutionary commitment. He
complained of the general refusal to fill positions in the military
or to take jobs in the countryside (for which foreign workers
had to be recruited), of students who wished to study only in
the United States, and of an increase in the crime rate. Perhaps
worst of all to Qadhafi was the apathy and reluctance with which
a significant portion of the Libyan people greeted the impending
Libyan merger with Egypt scheduled for September of 1973. He contended
that such attitudes threatened the revolutionary advances anticipated
when the monarchy was overthrown. That action had changed the
form of government, but if other fundamental social, economic,
and political changes were to be accomplished, the people would
have to be rededicated to the Revolution. Thus in an April 15,
1973, speech at Zuwarah, Qadhafi proclaimed the Cultural Revolution.
The Cultural Revolution comprised five points: the annulment
of all existing laws promulgated by the previous monarchical regime
and their replacement by laws based on sharia; the repression
of communism and conservatism by purging all political deviates--those
who opposed or resisted the revolution, such as communists, atheists,
members of the Muslim Brotherhood, advocates of capitalism, and
agents of Western propaganda; the distribution of arms to the
people so that a popular resistance would protect the revolution;
administrative reform to end excessive bureaucracy, dereliction
of duty, and bribery; and the promotion of Islamic thought by
rejecting any ideas that were not in keeping with it, especially
ideas imported from other countries and cultures. People's committees
were established nationwide to enforce these policies and to control
the revolution from below (see Subnational Government and Administration
, this ch.). If the people refused to participate in the popular
revolution, Qadhafi threatened to resign, a tactic he had used
on several occasions.
In May 1973, Qadhafi discussed the cultural revolution with foreign
reporters and tried to stress its dissimilarity from the Chinese
Cultural Revolution. According to Qadhafi, the Libyan Cultural
Revolution--unlike the Chinese Cultural Revolution--did not introduce
something new, but rather marked the return to the Arab and Islamic
heritage. It represented a quest for authenticity in that it tried
to forge or unearth linkages to the religiocultural foundations
of society.
Several experts agree that Libya's Cultural Revolution struck
a responsive chord in the Libyan psyche, similar to that struck
by the rejection of Westernization in Iran. To a significant extent,
Qadhafi's insistence on a foreign policy independent of either
superpower, his hostility toward Israel and its supporters, his
search for an alternate model based on indigenous Muslim values,
and his criticism of bureaucracy and consumerism were shared by
the Libyan people. Qadhafi did not appear odd in the Libyan context,
despite his image in the foreign media. Instead, as expert Lisa
Anderson stated, he was "an uncanny reflection of the average
Libyan."
Data as of 1987
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