If the rebels win in Libya what kind of state will it be?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

The Western Powers can't seem to decide what the goal is to "aiding" the people of Libya. They're even less clear about what they want to see happen.

"Free and fair" elections sound good. But, the "what ifs" are many.

[BOG PERSON]

1. a state of the people!

unlike every other state that contains... people.

[Poll_Blind]

2. Other: Another one of Democracy's beautiful gardens that needs tending by our...

...expert people trimmers!




PB

[arcane1]

3. Other: I have no freakin' clue. n/t

[MrCoffee]

4. "Failed" should probably be an option

[Marblehead]

5. we aren't even sure

who they are, rebels that is

[Iterate]

7. I'm pretty sure they're Libyan.

[MrCoffee]

I'm not entirely convinced on that point, actually

[bobbolink]

11. Since they're fighting (and dying) in the effort to get rid of G's foreign mercs, I would

say your guess is a good one.

:)

[defendandprotect]

6. Libyans have stated they want a Constituional democracy -- women equal, all religions equal ....

predicting right now what they will get is impossible to say --

let's hope they are able to take Gaddafi into custody and everyone else moves

out and they have a chance to govern their own nation, without a dictator of any kind!

"Free and fair elections" -- at least the Libyans are acknowledging they don't have them!

Americans have yet to do that!!!!

Wake up America!!!!

[Distant Observer]

8. Have you checked out what the "opposition" did in Benghazi over the past few years???

[defendandprotect]

18. You mean while Mubarak was still in power?

Why don't you just tell us?

[Turborama]

9. That's why I voted for number 1. Anything else is just random speculation and guesswork

Although, after what they've been through I think they really deserve a week-long "Woodstock in the Desert" once it's all over.

:hi:

[damntexdem]

10. Other: better than Ghaddafi's "state."

Beyond that, dunno.

[bobbolink]

12. Probably much like the 13 Colonies after winning their liberation.

Three steps forward, two steps back, hassling among various factions, exultation over the ability to think and act for themselvs, headaches from weighing all the possibilites (which are many more since the 13 colonies days!!).

Indeed, they will be very deserving of a "Desert Woodstock"!

[Xithras]

13. None of the above. Constitutional Monarchy

This has been discussed a few times in the media, but not much here.

Libya has been dominated by the Senussi's for centuries (Senussi is a form of Sufi Islam), and more than a third of the country identifies itself as Senussi. This third includes most of the population around Bengazi, the seat of this rebellion and the capitol of Libya under the pre-Kadaffi government. The movement is named after as Senussi, who lived in Libya a couple of centuries ago. His heirs were the highest imam's in Libya for many generations, and his descendant Idris as Senussi led the Libyans in their insurrection to help drive the Italian fascists out of Libya in WW2. He was the head of their religion, and a national military hero, so the Libyans made him their king (King Idris).

Their intent was to create a permanent consitutional monarchy, but Idris got sick and was going to abdicate the throne to his heir. When he left the country to seek medical treatment, Kadaffi launched his coup and claimed the country for himself.

While Idris is long dead, the as Senussi's are still seen as the spiritual head of their religion and longtime leaders of Libya. There is a huge portion of the population that wants to restore the pre-coup government and allow the monarchy to return (the crown prince lives in London). In fact, when you see rebels on TV with flags, look at the colors of their flag. The red/black/green flag that many are using is the flag of the Kingom of Libya under King Idris. When you see them flying a black flag with a crescent moon, that's the flag of the pre-independence emirate controlled by the Senussi's.

[provis99]

14. constitutional monarchy?

Sure, when the Kaiser comes back to Germany, too.
:rofl:

[Xithras]

15. What's funny about it? Japan, the U.K., and a quite a few other nations use the same system.

You have a monarch, but their power is limited and the real authority is located with Parliament or a similar elected structure.

Many Libyan's, especially in the eastern half of the country, are strong supporters of the idea.

[Xicano]

16. Probably a corporate hegemony

n/t

[JoePhilly]

17. Whatever its people want it to be?

That's how it should be.

[dkf]

19. Like how the Taliban want Sharia law where girls don't go to school?

[JoePhilly]

22. They aren't the only people in Afganistan ... and they are not the people of Libya

are they?

[dkf]

23. Sometimes we give freedom to take others freedoms away.

That is the irony of what may happen here.

[Spider Jerusalem]

20. You'd have to ask the Libyans that.

I honestly doubt anyone here is in a position to say. And I also suspect that the sum total of what most people here know about the Libyan rebels could be written around the rim of a shot glass with a blunt crayon.

[pampango]

21. Revolutions are unpredictable, but it's hard to tell people "Don't revolt against the evil you know.

The evil you may get could be worse."

IMHO, revolutions bring about a change for the better more often than not, but there are no guarantees. Libyans could be going from the "frying pan to the fire". They deserve a chance though.