Gaddafi's The Green Book

Gaddafi's Third Universal Theory

Muammar Gaddafi published The Green Book in three parts between 1975 and 1979. It was his attempt to articulate a political philosophy that rejected both Western capitalism and Soviet communism in favor of what he called the "Third Universal Theory." The first part addresses political authority and argues for direct democracy through people's congresses. The second part deals with economics, proposing that workers should be partners rather than wage earners. The third part covers social issues, including the roles of women, minorities, and education.

A Strange and Significant Document

The book is short. You can read it in an hour. The prose is declarative, repetitive, and sometimes bewildering in its confidence. Gaddafi writes as though he has solved political philosophy in a pamphlet. For decades, The Green Book functioned as Libya's unofficial constitution, taught in schools and quoted at every official function. After Gaddafi's overthrow and death in 2011, the book became a historical artifact rather than a living document. It remains significant for understanding both the Libyan state and the broader tradition of post-colonial Third World political thought that tried to chart a course between the Cold War's two poles.

About This Edition

Author: Muammar Al-Gaddafi
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Format: Paperback