"Armed people cannot be defeated": The rise of armed groups in post-Gaddafi Libya and thr impact of military education

This thesis aims to comprehend the factors that led to the emergence and endurance of armed groups in Libya following the fall of Gaddafi. by employing historical analysis to trace the origins of these armed groups, which can be linked back to the regime's exploitation of tribal allegiances and the pervasive militarization of Libyan society. These factors have had a lasting impact on the country's political landscape, as enduring institutions, particularly tribal ties and militarization, continue to influence the situation. This study thoroughly examines Libya's socio-political environment amidst considerable turmoil, leveraging the credibility and reliability of the World Values Survey (WVS) Wave 6 data, among other sources. The WVS data reveal a widespread distrust in governmental bodies, indicating a governance void that has facilitated the growth of armed factions. The research illustrates that the rise of armed groups results from systemic deficiencies, such as weak state institutions, enhanced tribal authority over state authority, and the entrenchment of a military ethos under Gaddafi. This thesis enriches the academic conversation on institutional stability and the rise of Armed groups by addressing a critical gap in current research with novel empirical data and detailed analysis. Keywords: Libya, Armed groups, Militarization, Gaddafi