Violence and Social Transformation in Libya

The book explores how violence has reshaped Libya's society, including inter-community and inter-personal relations, social hierarchies, elite composition, power structures, modes of capital accumulation, and governance. It also examines how the violence has contributed to the creation of new communities, both inside the country and in exile.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

Ten years after the outbreak of conflict in Libya, the country is undergoing a significant transformation. The impact of violence on society has been profound, reshaping inter-community and inter-personal relations, social hierarchies, and elite composition. The conflict has also given rise to new groups, networks, and identities, which have in turn transformed power structures, modes of capital accumulation, and governance at the local and national levels. This volume brings together leading researchers from both foreign and Libyan backgrounds to explore the complex changes that have taken place in Libya during the civil war.

The contributors to this volume offer a comprehensive examination of the various aspects of social change that have emerged in the context of violence. They address neglected yet crucial topics such as the role of women in the conflict, the experiences of marginalized communities, and the impact of foreign intervention on the country's social fabric. By providing a multidisciplinary perspective, the contributors enrich our understanding of Libyan society beyond the current confines of scholarship and contribute to broader debates in Conflict Studies.

The first section of the volume explores the impact of violence on inter-community and inter-personal relations. The contributors examine how the conflict has divided communities, created new social hierarchies, and exacerbated existing tensions. They also explore the ways in which individuals and communities have sought to rebuild social connections and foster reconciliation in the aftermath of the conflict.

The second section examines the effects of violence on social hierarchies and elite composition. The contributors analyze how the conflict has reshaped power structures, including the emergence of new political actors and the decline of traditional institutions. They also explore the ways in which elite groups have used violence to maintain their power and control over resources.

The third section explores the formation of new groups, networks, and identities through the conflict. The contributors examine how individuals and communities have mobilized to resist violence, defend their rights, and seek social justice. They also explore the ways in which these new groups have influenced political discourse and social movements in the country.

The fourth section examines the impact of violence on governance at the local and national levels. The contributors analyze how the conflict has weakened state institutions, created new spaces for political participation, and challenged traditional modes of decision-making. They also explore the ways in which local communities have responded to the crisis and attempted to establish alternative forms of governance.

The final section explores the role of violence in creating new communities, both inside the country and in exile. The contributors examine how individuals and communities have been displaced by the conflict, and how they have sought to maintain their sense of identity and belonging in the face of displacement. They also explore the ways in which these new communities have influenced the broader political landscape and contributed to the country's reconstruction.

In conclusion, this volume provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex social changes that have taken place in Libya during the civil war. By bringing together leading researchers from both foreign and Libyan backgrounds, the contributors offer a comprehensive examination of the various aspects of social change that have emerged in the context of violence. The volume's multidisciplinary perspective and attention to neglected yet crucial topics enrich our understanding of Libyan society and contribute to broader debates in Conflict Studies.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787389854