The Role of the Tribe in the Reproduction of Power in Libya

Abstract

The paper, "The Role of the Tribe in the Reproduction of Power in Libya," discusses the role of the tribe in the reproduction of power in Libya across various historical stages, starting from the pre-colonial era, through the period of Italian colonization, the independence and monarchy phase, reaching the Qaddafi regime, and the post-2011 era. The study aims to understand the complex relationship between the traditional authority of the tribes and the modern central authority, and how tribes influence the political, social, and economic balances in the country. The study employs a political sociology perspective to analyze the relationship between the tribe and the state, highlighting the internal social networks of the tribes, traditional leadership, community loyalties, as well as tribal strategies for managing resources and local conflicts. The results indicate that Libyan tribes have always played a pivotal role in protecting local society, formulating political alliances, and managing conflicts, whether in confronting occupation, during the modern state period, or through the complex transitional periods after 2011. The paper reviews the mechanisms of tribal power reproduction, such as: tribal and political alliances, control over economic resources, traditional leadership and symbolic legitimacy, social and cultural role, management of local conflicts, and direct political influence. The study shows that these mechanisms enable the tribes to maintain their influence and the continuity of their impact across generations, even amid the challenges of the central state or armed conflicts. The paper concludes that the tribe in Libya is not just a traditional social entity, but a flexible socio-political force capable of influencing national and local policies and reproducing authority within a complex context that combines the traditional structure of the state and modern authority, making the understanding of its role fundamental for any strategies aimed at achieving political and social stability in Libya.