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The socialist policies of Libya during Gaddafi's Jamahiriya: A Thread
1. Nationalisation of oil.
Approximately 70% of all oil in Libya was nationalised. Contrary to popular belief oil was never privatised. Gaddafi proposed a policy which would have seen all profits from oil evenly distributed into each citizen's bank account.
Approximately 70% of all oil in Libya was nationalised. Contrary to popular belief oil was never privatised. Gaddafi proposed a policy which would have seen all profits from oil evenly distributed into each citizen's bank account.
2. Direct democracy.
Every citizen of Libya was a member of a Basic Popular Congress, these BPCs functioned as municipal governments but they also formulated policy to be implemented by the central government...
Every citizen of Libya was a member of a Basic Popular Congress, these BPCs functioned as municipal governments but they also formulated policy to be implemented by the central government...
The BPC members directly elected a secretariat, these secretariats collectively formed the General People's Congress, the national parliament of Libya. The secretariats would elect a General Secretary, all the General Secretaries were members of the General People's Committee.
3. Social safety net.
If a Libyan became unemployed, they would be paid their salary of their previous job by the state.
If a Libyan became unemployed, they would be paid their salary of their previous job by the state.
4. State-owned enterprises.
Banks and electricity were state-owned public services. Banks provided interest-free loans and electricity was provided free to all citizens.
Banks and electricity were state-owned public services. Banks provided interest-free loans and electricity was provided free to all citizens.
5. Free education.
Education, including university, was free and literacy increased from 25% to 90% from 1969-2011.
Education, including university, was free and literacy increased from 25% to 90% from 1969-2011.
6. Universal healthcare.
Healthcare under Gaddafi was free. It was not the greatest quality because the health sector was very badly effected by sanctions, but it was by far the best in Africa.
Healthcare under Gaddafi was free. It was not the greatest quality because the health sector was very badly effected by sanctions, but it was by far the best in Africa.
7. Universal housing.
Homelessness was eradicated during this time and housing was provided free by the state. Everybody owned their own homes and landlords were illegal and nonexistent.
Homelessness was eradicated during this time and housing was provided free by the state. Everybody owned their own homes and landlords were illegal and nonexistent.
8. Great Man Made River Project
Gaddafi carried out the GMMR, which provided free, clean, safe water to all corners of the desert nation. It was the world's largest irrigation project and it was bombed by NATO in 2011.
Gaddafi carried out the GMMR, which provided free, clean, safe water to all corners of the desert nation. It was the world's largest irrigation project and it was bombed by NATO in 2011.
9. Made the south of Libya habitable.
The hottest temperature on record was recorded in southern Libya. But because of the Jamahiriya's heavy investment in and state ownership of all infrastructure, it was able to make the south of Libya liveable.
The hottest temperature on record was recorded in southern Libya. But because of the Jamahiriya's heavy investment in and state ownership of all infrastructure, it was able to make the south of Libya liveable.
10. People's supermarkets.
Traditional, privately owned supermarkets were replaced by state-owned "people's supermarkets", where Libyans could buy everything they needed at a very cheap price, set by the state.
Traditional, privately owned supermarkets were replaced by state-owned "people's supermarkets", where Libyans could buy everything they needed at a very cheap price, set by the state.
11. Marriage bursary.
When a Libyan got married, $50,000 was provided to them by the state so they could start a family.
When a Libyan got married, $50,000 was provided to them by the state so they could start a family.
12. Zero debt.
All this while Libya owed not a penny in debt.
All this while Libya owed not a penny in debt.
All this information has been provided to me by @Silv3rGunna, a Libyan citizen who lived during the Jamahiriya, and @AyboraHHSaglam, who lived in Libya from 2009 until 2011.
