Political participation of Libyan youth after 2011 (its reality, challenges, and future)

Abstract

The study analyzed the reality and future of political participation among Libyan youth after 2011, addressing the reasons for youth's reluctance to participate politically, par-ticularly after the political division that Libya experienced following the fall of the Gaddafi regime.

In this context, the political, security, legal, and social reality in Libya was described as an obstacle to Libyan youth's political participation. The proliferation of militias and weapons, the deterioration of the Libyan economy, weakness of laws aimed at empow-ering youth to participate in public policymaking, tribal interference in politics, the emergence of most political parties based on individuals rather than programs, and the weakness of civil society institutions—all of the above have prevented the provision of a healthy and safe environment in which youth can play their role in rebuilding the Lib-yan state.

The researchers concluded that Libyan youth represent the country's backbone and the path to progress and prosperity. For these youth to play their part in shaping public pol-icy within the Libyan state, a suitable political, social, and security environment must be created that ensures an end to the political divide and the establishment of a state based on institutions and the rule of law.