The shifting moods of Qadhafi : an analysis of Libyan foreign policy 1969-2005

Abstract

Under the radical leadership of Mu ammar al-Qadhafi, Libya has constantly been the focus of international attention. This is attributable to its reputation as a rogue state, a transgressor of international codes of conduct, and for the foreign policies of its eccentric leader. Libyan foreign policy is often seen as erratic, devoid of coherent rationale, and tending to undergo sudden, inexplicable changes of direction. For those unacquainted with Libyan politics, recent developments in the country s foreign policy, such as abandoning its nuclear weapons programme and improved relations with the West, only serve to support such notions. The overall perception is that Libyan foreign policy is motivated exclusively by an ideological and revolutionary doctrine, subject to the caprices of a maverick dictator. The thesis is an analysis of Libyan foreign policy under the current regime. I chronicle three and a half decades of foreign relations as they pertain to the Arab world, the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa and the West. The analysis is conducted mainly within the realm of three International Relations theories; Classical Realism, and Defensive and Offensive Neo-Realism. In addition, the role of ideology has been a central one in the analysis due to the regime s emphasis on it. By examining the empirical evidence provided in this thesis I have been able to determine what factors have been decisive in Libyan foreign policy behaviour and how they relate to the above-mentioned theories. I have done so by monitoring the behaviour of Libya during each decade and identifying the main trend(s) in foreign policy in each of the examined regions. Then I have discussed why these approaches were taken. The conclusion summarizes the motivations for the general trends previously identified and reveals the core objective of Libyan foreign policy in general.