Gaddafism

Front cover of The Green Book, a work which elaborated on many of Gaddafi's ideas that would form the basis for the Third International Theory.

Gaddafism also known as the Third International Theory was the ideology and beliefs of former Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi.

Characteristics

Gaddafism combines elements of Arab nationalism, Nasserism, anti-imperialism, Islamic socialism, direct democracy, left-wing populism and African nationalism.

Islamic fundementalism

Gaddafism used elements of Islamic fundementalism. However it was never fully Islamic fundementalist, more so Islamist as many Islamic fundementalists were imprisoned under the rule of Gaddafi.

Non-alignment

Gaddafi inspired by the three worlds theory wanted to implement a universal alternative to capitalism and Marxism–Leninism, seeing them as failed ideologies. It has similarities with socialist self-managment in Titoist Yugoslavia.

People's power

In the first part of Green Book, Gaddafi denounces any traditional forms of democracy such as political parties, parliament and referendums. Instead he argued for "the authority of people". This idea outlines the basic ideas of direct democracy and people's committees.

See also

• Syncretic politics
• Nasserism
• Ba'athism

External links

• The Green Book at greencharter.com