Applied perspectives: Civic Libyan contributions to local, national and global order

What can be learned from a (post-)conflict context where people lead on establishing order via public dialogue and participative action? Drawing on Kaldor’s concept of public authority and civic logic, this Research in Progress seminar will discuss the role of people that aim to contribute to a shift from structural causes of (local) conflict towards emerging opportunities of development. Civic logic emphasizes in this regard the process of collective bottom-up and top-down practices of people and receptive accountable (inter)national authorities and institutions. 

In Libya, political settlements among (inter)national authorities that lack influence and power have not delivered on the transition from conflict to more peaceful coexistence. People united in citizenship as a mechanism for coordinated action, do emerge as a driving force. Their civic engagement, local advocacy and popular activities, while unknown and viewed as disruptive, are inherently legitimate. 

People, even when personally at risk, continue their actions grounded in this understanding as they seek an end to ‘the atmosphere of apathy and fear’. Their manifestations of civic practice start to counter authoritarian and illiberal practices presently facing Libya. This contributes to raised awareness, reconciliation, and concrete improvements in safety, security and daily living conditions.

This seminar will draw on 30 conducted Libyan-led co-enquiries and an analysis of 260 dialogues and 54 actions organized by 50 community groups, activists and CSOs from across Libya. They participated in an EU-funded rule of law programme and the locally-led research using participatory action research (PAR). 

The presented results will shed light on what role actors seek, what this requires of people and what contribution emerging manifestations of civic practice can have.