Muammar Gaddafi is undeniably one of the most controversial figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. Though his legacy is a complex one, his rule of Libya was often categorised as cruel and oppressive. His overthrow in 2011 is often touted as one of the major successes of the Arab Spring. But, was Gaddafi truly evil?
To answer this question, we must first look at the conditions that led to Gaddafi’s rule. After becoming a military officer in the mid-1960s, Muammar Gaddafi led a successful coup to overtake the politically unstable Libyian monarchy in 1969. After his successful overthrow, he promised his citizens ‘freedom from foreign domination’. Gaddafi promised support for the Palestinians in the Six Day War, received few sanctions from other Arab leaders in the early 1970s, and won the 1973 World Food Program for outstanding food production. However, Gaddafi’s success was only surface deep. Behind the scenes, he fostered a highly authoritarian regime – restricting freedom of expression, crushing political dissent, and violating the rights of Libyian citizens.
In the eyes of Professor Jehuda Reinharz, president of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem, Gaddafi ‘was utterly despotic, oppressive, and brutal while at the same time achieving a great deal in terms of economic improvement, raising the level of education, health and welfare’. Historians have noted that Gaddafi pursued a semblance of social justice, introducing large-scale nationalisation, increased subsidies, and foreign assistance, but his methods were largely authoritarian and have been strongly criticised. Gaddafi also pursued far-reaching foreign policy initiatives, taking a hard-line attitude to the US and Europe, while maintaining good relations with African and Arab states. This has made determining his character complex, as sympathies and oppressions are mixed.
Under Gaddafi, Libya became increasingly wealthy and influential due to its vast oil reserves. Lots of money was also funnelled into supporting revolutionary forces, as well as various privileged projects, such as the building and supporting of a number of universities. However, all that wealth was largely for the benefit of Gaddafi and a select few – his family, members of the Revolutionary Command Council and military high command. As a result, countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom continued to impose economic sanctions on the country. This meant the average citizen continued to face extreme poverty, lack of basic services and a non-existent civil society.
Gaddafi’s rule is often compared to dictators such as Saddam Hussein, as in the eyes of George Joffé, a professor of political studies at Cambridge University: ‘Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein must be seen as part of the same continuum, despite differences in the external environment. They both presented similar authoritarian models of rule.’
Gaddafi’s dictatorship was eventually overthrown in 2011 after the people of Libya rose up against the government. Unfortunately, this revolution was not as peaceful as the Arab Spring uprisings of Tunisia and Egypt, partly due to the heavy-handed crackdown on protesters by Gaddafi. On the one hand, Gaddafi’s actions were cruel and oppressive, as he initiated a brutal campaign against unarmed protesters and mobilised loyalist military forces to open fire. On the other, the revolution had a unifying effect in that it managed to channel decades of pent-up frustration over Gaddafi’s rule into a genuine effort for political change.
The Islamic Factor
Gaddafi was a pan-Arabist, who believed that only a united Arab nation could become strong enough to fend off Western and Israeli intervention. To that end, he used his vast wealth to support struggling Islamic fundamentalist movements throughout the region, such as Algeria’s Islamic Salvation Front and the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Gaddafi also employed Islamic scholars to advise him on religious matters, and he declared that Libya was nothing less than an ‘Islamic Republic’ in 1975. This allowed him to position himself as a religious leader, garnering both domestic and foreign support for his agenda.
Gaddafi’s use of religion to further his agenda has caused some observers to argue that he was not only oppressive but also anti-democratic. In a 2012 op-ed in The Guardian, Libyan political analyst Ashour Shamis argued that ‘Gaddafi used Islam as a tool to gain legitimacy and to prevent people from opposing his rule’.
This view of Gaddafi’s use of Islam has been echoed by a number of commentators, who argue that his regime was characterised by a lack of religious tolerance and freedom of expression. In addition, it has been alleged that Gaddafi used Islam to fuel sectarian strife in countries such as Sudan, Somalia and Syria. Whether or not this is true is difficult to ascertain, but it is clear that Gaddafi did use religion to maintain power and influence in the region.
The Economy
Gaddafi’s economic policies were largely aimed at consolidating his position as ruler, as well as to benefit himself, his family and close associates. Resource distribution was unequal, as Gaddafi’s inner circle gained access to his vast wealth, while leaving the majority of the population in poverty. Furthermore, Gaddafi’s “Jamahiriya” regime focused on providing cheap goods and services, with little regard for the development of technological innovation. This resulted in a stagnant economy, with little investment in new industries and businesses.
Gaddafi’s policies also resulted in rampant corruption and a severe lack of transparency, leading to a lack of accountability. The government often failed to provide basic public services, such as health care and education – shortcomings that have been exacerbated since the downfall of the Gaddafi regime. History professor David W. Lesch believes that ‘in spite of the material gains that occurred during the 42-year reign of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya still lags behind other countries in the Middle East and North Africa’.
The Death Of Gaddafi
Gaddafi was finally overthrown in October 2011, and he was subsequently killed by American forces in October 2011. However, his death was far from the end of the story. Questions concerning the legitimacy of his death lingered, as some argued that he had not had a fair trial and should have been allowed to mount a defence.
The death of Gaddafi was a source of celebration for many Libyians, however, the death of the so-called “Father of Libya” has done little to resolve the grievances of many citizens. Despite the removal of Gaddafi, the country struggles with violence, poverty, corruption and instability. It seems clear that the death of Gaddafi did not bring the change that many had hoped for.
The Debate
Though it is clear that Gaddafi was oppressive and brutal, the debate over whether he was truly evil is far from over. Gaddafi’s legacy is deeply complex, as he achieved a great deal in terms of education and health, while at the same time ruling with an iron fist. In addition, his foreign policy initiatives were often deeply authoritarian, as were his economic policies Top Postand resource allocation. He also used religion to maintain power, and supported various Islamic fundamentalist movements. All of this makes it difficult to determine whether Muammar Gaddafi was truly evil.
The Legacy
Regardless of one’s opinion on Gaddafi’s legacy, it is clear that Libya has suffered much in the wake of his death. Political stability has been hard to come by, and economic and social development has been slow. The country is plagued by instability and violence and, though Gaddafi was overthrown and his regime defeated, his legacy of authoritarianism still looms over the people of Libya.
The Revolution
It is undeniable that Gaddafi repressed and oppressed his people, and that his regime caused great suffering. His overthrow in 2011 was undoubtedly a major success story of the Arab Spring, but it has done little to bring real stability to Libya. The revolution has done little to improve the lot of the average Libyan and, while Gaddafi may be gone, his oppressive legacy still lingers.
Conclusion
Though it is difficult to determine whether Muammar Gaddafi was truly evil, it is clear that his regime was oppressive and authoritarian. His death has done little to improve the lot of the average Libyan, and his legacy of authoritarianism still looms over the country. Whatever one’s opinion on the matter, it is clear that Gaddafi’s rule was highly detrimental to Libya’s development, and that his legacy is still felt today.