Col Gaddafi with western unions
Was col Muammar Gaddafi a dictator, or was he a threat to the global financial order
because of how he treated his citizens?
History is often written by the victors.
The mainstream narrative paints the former libyan leader strictly as a tyrant.
However, a closer look at the economic and social policies during his reign reveals a different story one of a wealthy, debt-free nation where the state deeply subsidized the lives of its citizens .
Many
supporters argue that Gaddafi wasn't removed for "humanitarian"
reasons, but because his model of economic independence threatened western
interests.
Here are 16 controversial reasons often cited regarding why Gaddafi was targeted, based on the quality of life in libya during his rule.
1. Financial independence and sovereignty
Perhaps
the most dangerous aspect of Gaddafi’s libya to the outside world was its
financial autonomy. The country operated outside the traditional grip of global
banking system.
- No
external debt:
libya had absolutely no external debt. The country held reserves of $150
billion (which have since been frozen worldwide).
- 0%
interest loans:
the banking system was state-owned. By law, loans to citizens carried 0%
interest.
- Sharing
the wealth: a
portion of libyan oil sales was credited directly to the bank accounts of
all citizens.
2. Housing and family support
The
social safety net in libya was designed to ensure that starting a family and
owning a home was accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy.
- The
right to shelter:
gaddafi famously promised that he would not buy a house for his own
parents until every citizen in libya owned a home.
- Support
for newlyweds:
all newlywed couples received 60,000 dinars from the government to
buy their first apartment and start a family.
- Mothers’
benefit: a
mother who gave birth to a child received $5,000 as a support
payment.
3. Essential utilities and cost of living
While
the rest of the world struggled with inflation and utility bills, libyans
enjoyed massive subsidies on daily necessities.
- Free
electricity:
there were no electricity bills in libya; electricity was free of charge
to all citizens.
- Cheap
gasoline: the
price of petrol was incredibly low, costing just $0.14 per liter.
- Affordable
food: the
cost of living was kept low, with 40 loaves of bread costing just $0.15.
- Car
ownership: if
a citizen bought a car, the government financed 50% of the price.
4. Healthcare and education
Before Gaddafi’s reign, literacy rates were low and healthcare was scarce. He invested
heavily in human capital.
- Free
services:
education and medical treatment were completely free.
- Literacy
boom: before
gaddafi, only 25% of the population could read. During his reign, literacy
rose to 83%.
- Healthcare
abroad: if a
citizen could not find the necessary treatment within libya, the state
funded the procedure abroad, providing $2,300+ for accommodation and
travel.
- Employment
support: if a
libyan could not find a job after graduation, the government paid them the
average salary for their profession until they found employment.
5.
Agriculture and infrastructure
Gaddafi
had a vision to turn the desert green and support those who wanted to work the
land.
- Farming
subsidies: if
a libyan wanted to live on a farm, they were given free household
appliances, seeds, and livestock to get started.
- The "great man-made river": gaddafi implemented the world's largest irrigation project to ensure water availability throughout the desert nation.
The inferential
When
you look at these 16 points, the definition of the word "regime"
becomes blurry for many. A nation with no debt, free housing support, free
education, and direct oil-wealth sharing is a stark contrast to the economic
struggles faced by citizens in many western nations.
It
leaves us with one lingering question:
"if this is called 'dictatorship,' i wonder what democracy is?"
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