“(IL)Liberal Peace” As a Solution? Rethinking Pitfalls in Post-Gaddafi Libya’s Sociopolitical Transformation

This research is motivated by the question of why Libya has derailed from “liberal democratic” transition path following the demise of Gaddafi’s authoritarian regime by international intervention in 2011. The paper analyzes post-Gaddafi Libya’s sociopolitical transformation by employing a holistic framework which focuses on interaction between key international and domestic dynamics as a major determinant of the ongoing political turmoil and failed peace-building initiatives. Utilizing process-tracing as methodological framework, the paper identifies the repercussions of interaction between international and domestic dynamics across three thematic sectors: “geopolitical competition” that involves non-state armed actors as well as regional and great powers, “war economy” based primarily on struggle for controlling Libya’s rich hydrocarbon resources, and the rivalry between traditional and emerging norms of “conflict management”. The analysis arrives at two main conclusions regarding post-Gaddafi Libya’s sociopolitical transformation: firstly, both foreign and domestic actors increasingly operate by the logic of winner-takes-all, which turns any power-sharing/peacebuilding initiative into a zero-sum game. Secondly, the idea of ending Libya’s political deadlock through a military solution, to be followed by establishment of an authoritarian leadership, has considerably extended its appeal within either factions to Libyan politics especially since 2014 elections.