Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reforms

This article examines Libya’s complex landscape, marked by a persistently weak state apparatus since the Gaddafi era, which continues to raise significant concerns. Following the 2011 revolution, Libya has remained a battleground of conflict and war. This study investigates the factors influencing L...

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Main Author: Noureddine Selmi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Global Security: Health, Science and Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23779497.2025.2449614
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author Noureddine Selmi
author_facet Noureddine Selmi
author_sort Noureddine Selmi
collection DOAJ
description This article examines Libya’s complex landscape, marked by a persistently weak state apparatus since the Gaddafi era, which continues to raise significant concerns. Following the 2011 revolution, Libya has remained a battleground of conflict and war. This study investigates the factors influencing Libya’s transition, with a particular focus on the role of civil society in governance and political and economic reforms. The research draws on two qualitative studies that complement the researcher’s expertise in the Libyan context. The first study involved on-site meetings and discussions, while the second included 32 interviews conducted in late 2023 and early 2024. Participants, comprising politicians, economists, academics, and civil society leaders, provided diverse perspectives. Key findings highlight Libya’s lack of strong state institutions and the rule of law, challenges to governance and reforms amid ongoing conflict, and scepticism towards civil society, which makes its role more complex and more difficult. This study offers theoretical perspectives and invaluable information to foster and facilitate civil society engagement in governance and transition. Additionally, it provides recommendations for creating an enabling environment for transition in Libya and countries facing similar conditions, such as those during the Arab Spring.
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spelling doaj-art-627100ac289b45e9aa842dee1f81d5852025-01-03T16:11:23ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Security: Health, Science and Policy2377-94972025-12-0110110.1080/23779497.2025.2449614Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reformsNoureddine Selmi0Department of Public Administration, School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Doha, QatarThis article examines Libya’s complex landscape, marked by a persistently weak state apparatus since the Gaddafi era, which continues to raise significant concerns. Following the 2011 revolution, Libya has remained a battleground of conflict and war. This study investigates the factors influencing Libya’s transition, with a particular focus on the role of civil society in governance and political and economic reforms. The research draws on two qualitative studies that complement the researcher’s expertise in the Libyan context. The first study involved on-site meetings and discussions, while the second included 32 interviews conducted in late 2023 and early 2024. Participants, comprising politicians, economists, academics, and civil society leaders, provided diverse perspectives. Key findings highlight Libya’s lack of strong state institutions and the rule of law, challenges to governance and reforms amid ongoing conflict, and scepticism towards civil society, which makes its role more complex and more difficult. This study offers theoretical perspectives and invaluable information to foster and facilitate civil society engagement in governance and transition. Additionally, it provides recommendations for creating an enabling environment for transition in Libya and countries facing similar conditions, such as those during the Arab Spring.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23779497.2025.2449614Civil societygovernancepolitical and economic transitionLibyaArab Spring
spellingShingle Noureddine Selmi
Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reforms
Global Security: Health, Science and Policy
Civil society
governance
political and economic transition
Libya
Arab Spring
title Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reforms
title_full Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reforms
title_fullStr Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reforms
title_full_unstemmed Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reforms
title_short Libya in transition: governance challenges and civil society’s prospects in political and economic reforms
title_sort libya in transition governance challenges and civil society s prospects in political and economic reforms
topic Civil society
governance
political and economic transition
Libya
Arab Spring
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23779497.2025.2449614
work_keys_str_mv AT noureddineselmi libyaintransitiongovernancechallengesandcivilsocietysprospectsinpoliticalandeconomicreforms