Author: Yousef Mohamed Ali Madi

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

This thesis examines the impact of the British Military Administration (BMA) onsocial- cultural and political organisations in Libya during the period 1943 to 1951. Thethesis is grounded on a careful reading of secondary literature which has been integratedinto available official documents available in both Arabic and English archival sources,in addition to new oral data generated from interviews. Its main claim to originality liesin the light that these documents throw on our understanding of the BMA's impact oncivil society in Libya.The thesis adopts a case study approach focusing on specific themes to examine theBMA's impact on education, the press (specifically newspapers), and social, culturaland political organisations in Libya. These are viewed as key areas of concern indeveloping states since according to the secondary literature, including press debates atthe time and available archival documentation, these organisations awakened people'sinterest in the right to self determination. It is argued that in addition to the majorpolitical and economic changes that took place in Libya during this period, it was also atime of revitalisation of social, cultural and intellectual activities, both within Libyaitself and in its émigré communities in Egypt and Tunisia. The BMA was characterisedby remarkable developments in education, and also saw unprecedented growth in thepress and in cultural and voluntary organisations. These associations brought togethergroups of individuals to create civil society and provide the basis for the politicalorganisations, which were later to evolve into Libya's first fully fledged politicalparties.The transitional British administration succeeded in building a system that greatlyimproved access to education and educational standards for all throughout Libya, whileat the same time creating an elite cadre of Libyans who would help administer thecountry. During British rule, the press also improved in both quality and quantity. Thediverse range of publications in Arabic that emerged not only played an important rolein covering Libya's journey towards independence but also awakened interest in issuesrelating to national identity. The social, cultural and political associations thatflourished, both at home and abroad, made a major contribution to promoting thisnational movement by helping to create and shape the coherence and consciousness ofLibyans as a nation. The stability that the BMA brought to Libya facilitated the growthof these social and cultural organisations which in turn underpinned the establishmentof the political parties that would eventually assume responsibility for running thenewly independent Libya.The findings of the study show that the BMA in Libya enjoyed considerable success inshaping Libyans' attitudes towards the value of education, press freedom and civilsociety and in preparing Libya for independence. When the British left, the Libyansthey had trained demonstrated their abilities in the fields of education andadministration. While the British inculcated a national consciousness in the Libyans, itwas also clear that Arab nationalism and Pan-Arab unity were also viewed as attractivepolitical alternatives.