IMPACT OF THE US LED DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION ON THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF POST GHADAFFI LIBYA, 2011-2015
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Abstract
United States-led democratic transition in Libya affected political development in post-Ghadaffi Libya in various ways. This has brought about weakening of the political institutions in the state which invariably has impacted negatively on the political development of the country. Even though some authors have carried out studies on the impacts of US-led democratic transition on post-Ghadaffi Libya, they have not sufficiently addressed the many gaps in this area of the study. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of US-led democratic transition on the political development of post-Ghadaffi Libya with a view to addressing the problems identified in the study. Data for this study were generated from both the primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data was generated using structured questionnaires which were administered to respondents drawn from Libyan and US embassies in Nigeria and from NIIA. The sample size of the study was 244 staff. Secondary data was generated from textbooks, journals and internet materials. Primary data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages while secondary data was analyzed using content analysis. The study adopted structural-functionalism theory to explain failure of state structures in Libya to perform necessary functions that bring about political development. Among other things, the study found out that the US-led democratic transition has negative effects on elections, political institutions, legal institutions, and human rights of people in post-Ghadaffi Libya. The problems identified included gross human rights violations, increased rate of terrorism and the solutions included improving human rights posture of the state, use of counter-terrorism and diplomacy to solve the problems of US-led democratic transition post-Ghadaffi Libya. Among other things, the study concludes that unless the democratic institutions in Libya are re-built, efforts at democratic transition in the state cannot be fruitful.