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Libya: Continuity and Change offers a comprehensive reappraisal of Libya's modern history, challenging conventional narratives that overemphasise rupture while overlooking enduring structural patterns.
This third edition traces Libya's development from its early historical foundations through the colonial and post-colonial periods to the rule of Müammar al-Qaddafi and the instability that followed his fall in 2011. Moving beyond leader-centric accounts, the book situates Qaddafi's policies within broader historical, social, and political continuities, showing how his revolutionary project both drew upon and reconfigured existing structures. It further demonstrates how, in the post-Qaddafi era, deep-rooted institutional and socio-economic legacies have continued to shape political fragmentation, conflict, and governance challenges. By highlighting the interplay between continuity and change, the study offers a more nuanced understanding of Libya's trajectory and the persistent influence of the past on present dynamics.
This book will appeal to students and scholars of Middle East and North African politics, international relations, and modern history, as well as policymakers and analysts seeking a deeper understanding of Libya's ongoing political crisis and prospects for stability.
About the author
Dr. Ronald Bruce St John has authored six books on Libya, including Libya: From Colony to Revolution (2017), Historical Dictionary of Libya (2023), and Qaddafi: Beyond the Myth (2026). Now an independent scholar, he has consulted with the US Department of State and National Intelligence Council as well as with numerous global media outlets, including the Associated Press, BBC World Service, CNN News, NBC News, New York Times, and Washington Post. He served on the Atlantic Council Working Group on Libya and the International Advisory Board of the Journal of Libyan Studies.
