Relationship between Petrostates and Political Instability. Libya’s Political History with Petroleum

Abstract

Libya’s socio-political structure has been structured through colonization, the influence of petroleum, and unacceptable political regimes from Gaddafi’s dictator-monarch rule, which limited Libyans from economic prosperity till present day. The purpose of this study is to evaluate Libya’s political state from pre-petroleum to petroleum influenced state. This research identifies Libya through its historical colonial context, highlights pre-oil Libya, the influence of petroleum and how that effects Libya’s current socio-economic and political framework. I offer policy recommendations to reduce political instability in petrostates and explain whether or not renewable energy is a decolonizing factor to political instability.