Colonel Gaddafi: True Direct Democracy

761 Words2 Pages

When Colonel Gaddafi inherited power peacefully, it was a burdening task to transform an impoverished nation located on a barren desert which recently declared independence, to the wealthiest African country where citizens enjoyed exceptional rights and a true direct democracy, called Jahiliyya. Prior to the US-led bombing campaign in 2011, Libya had the highest Human Development Index, the lowest infant mortality and the highest life expectancy in all of Africa. Under his rule, he raised the literacy levels from a low 25% to an exceptional 87% in which 25% of those earned university degrees. He also established what is known in America as “Pursuit of property” as he considered a home for every person a natural human right, as stated in his …show more content…

The largest irrigation system in the world also known as the great manmade river was designed to make water readily available to all Libyans across the entire country. It was funded by the Gaddafi government and it said that Gaddafi himself called it ”the eighth wonder of the world”. Basic commodities of modern era such as petrol was 0.14 (US Dollars) a litre, and electricity was free, making room for lower income families to access. Speaking of which, those who intending on starting a farming business, the government would subsided a house, farm land, livestock, and seeds, all free of charge. Again, in support of single mothers, a bursary of 5,000 (US Dollars) was given to the mother and the newborn after birth. And if those were in need of financial support, one could simply go to the Libyan state bank which provided loans at zero percent interest. The country also boasted no external debt. Contrary to the popular belief, Libya, which western media routinely described as “Gaddafi’s military dictatorship” was in actually one of the world’s most democratic …show more content…

Within these “mini autonomous states” the three main bodies of Libya’s Jahil democracy consisted of local communities, Basic people's congress and executive revolutionary councils. The BPC or Mu’tamar sha ‘bi asāsi was the Libyan take on the house of representatives in the United States. However they were not merely elected officials who decided on their behalf, (which are regularly liable to corruption) rather this congress allowed all Libyans to directly contribute to the lawmaking process. Eight hundred BPCs were erected across the country to ensure every Libyans right to participate in government. Even the New York Times, which was highly critical of Gaddafi, visited Libya in 2009 to observe the nation's experimental form of Jamarily democracy. They concluded that “everyone is involved in every decision…Tens of thousands of people take part in local committee meetings to discuss issues and vote on everything from foreign treaties to building schools.” If Gaddafi truly maintained a “military dictatorship”, one would assume his proposals passed without

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