Tactical Flexibility: Libyan Foreign Policy under Qadhafi, 1969–2004*

On September 1, 1969, a group of junior Libyan Army officers took control of the Libyan government in a bloodless coup d'état. After the coup, the group formed the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), chaired by Muammar al‐Qadhafi. In the four decades following, Libya faced numerous foreign policy challenges. The Qadhafi regime took on a distinctly anticolonial flavor that mirrored the revolutionary political trends of Egypt under of Gamal Abdul Nasser. This change in foreign policy posture shook Libya's relations with the United States and the United Kingdom and initiated the degradation of Libyan–Western ties. Under Qadhafi's leadership, Libya chose an ideological path for that focused on the strengthening of sovereignty while pursuing policies of unity and anti‐imperialism. This often put Libya at loggerheads with the West, and at times with its neighbors. Nevertheless, Qadhafi maintained popularity among his constituency. ¹ His domestic fame was the product of a carefully constructed persona that gave him the charismatic appeal necessary to maintain leadership during the latter quarter of the twentieth century and into the new millennium. Publicly, Qadhafi highlighted the similarities between himself and Libya's rural working class. He lived in a tent, and wore modest clothing. He fancied himself a devout Muslim, and praised the wisdom of the Libyan masses. He connected with his constituency through rhetoric that illustrated the stability of his policies over time, and their connection to the ideas that originally made him popular. This argues that the source of Qadhafi's charismatic power lay in his rhetoric, which connected Libya's foreign policy decisions to his foreign policy vision, the basis of his charismatic leadership. Qadhafi articulated his foreign policy vision during his first major speech to the Libyan people in September 1969, and he referred to it time and again when speaking about major Libyan foreign policy decisions. To demonstrate, this article describes the basis of Qadhafi's leadership authority and defines the parameters of his vision. Then Qadhafi's rhetoric surrounding major shifts in Libyan foreign policy is analyzed to show its congruence with his foreign policy vision. The rhetoric surrounding the Libya–Egypt war, the end of Libya's Chad intervention, Libya's surrendering of the two Lockerbie bombing suspects to be tried under Western authority, and Qadhafi's denunciation of the weapons of mass destruction programs—all major shifts in Libyan foreign policy—demonstrate how Qadhafi was able to maintain a single message, and thus his authority, over his first 35 years in power based on values established in the early days of his revolution. The flexibility of his vision enabled Qadhafi to maintain authority, while tactically adjusting Libyan foreign policy positions.     

Social mobility and reproduction among nineteenth-century Colorado silver prospectors

Popular cultural convention holds that, for those with enough gumption, the American frontier was a land of unparalleled opportunity. However, careful research throws doubt on the universality of this convention. Thus, the authors explore factors that increase or decrease opportunities for upward mobility in frontier towns. The authors' longitudinal study of late nineteenth century silver prospectors in Gothic, Colorado, demonstrates that while enthusiastic prospecting in Gothic did not lead to upward social mobility, it did provide enhanced reproductive opportunities.     

Geochemical indicators of preservation status and site deterioration at Star Carr

This paper presents the results of a project aimed at investigating the deterioration of organic remains at the Mesolithic site of Star Carr. Analyses of pH, Electrical Conductivity and Redox Potential are reported from borehole transects across the unexcavated part of the site. A comparison of field and laboratory measurements is made, leading to the characterisation of different preservation zones and identification of ‘vulnerable’ sediments at the site. These data are augmented by geochemical analyses of contemporary borehole sequences and adjacent historic monoliths. Analysis of surface water and groundwater has also been undertaken to assist in the interpretation of the site hydrology and geochemistry. The relationship between ‘natural’ geology and preservation potential, and the evidence for a ‘halo’ preservation effect in virgin sediments adjacent to previous archaeology trenches is investigated.     

Stability of phytoliths in the archaeological record: a dissolution study of modern and fossil phytoliths

Opaline phytoliths are important microfossils used in archaeological and ecological research. Relatively little is known about the stability of phytoliths after burial. Under alkaline pH conditions they can dissolve, and mechanical disturbances can cause a loss of their more delicate appendages. Here we present an experimental study of phytolith stability (combination of solubility and abrasion). Modern and fossil phytoliths were extracted from wheat using new methods to minimize dissolution, and by burning in an oven. These assemblages were placed in a solution buffered to pH 10 and maintained under constant temperature and shaking conditions. The silicon concentrations in the solution were monitored once a week for 5 weeks. The phytolith morphologies in each assemblage were determined at the outset of the experiment and after 5 weeks. The results show that there are differences in stability between various assemblages. Modern inflorescence wheat phytolith assemblages are more unstable than those from leaves/stems. Burnt assemblages are less stable than unburnt assemblages, and a fossil phytolith assemblage about 3000 years old is more stable than the modern wheat assemblages. The results also show that individual phytolith morphotypes have different stabilities, and as a result of dissolution and abrasion, some morphotypes may resemble others. This study further shows that archaeological and/or paleo-environmental interpretation of phytolith assemblages may change with the assemblage’s state of preservation.     

Spirit knows: materiality,memory and the recovery of Spiritualist places and practices in Stoke-on-Trent

Abstract

Much has been written about constructing memories of place, yet few speak of the difficulties in dealing with lost, partial and fragmented histories of place. We argue that behind the idea of ‘memory of place’ is an assumption that these memories are recoverable and can build a sense of place. Our research has led us to assume the opposite: not just that the fragments of history cannot build a complete memory of place, but that this understanding of memory and place is itself skewed by its reliance on materiality. This paper stems from a project that explores the place of spirituality in everyday life through insights from Spiritualist churches and their congregations. Whilst evidence of Spiritualist locations can be partially obtained through documentary records, a key challenge has been in understanding practices in the context of Spiritualism’s disassociation with materiality and the centrality of Spirit. The paper concludes that retracing Spiritualism’s past, and capturing its contemporary spiritual practices, uncovers a ‘memory of place’ that is not only in constant transience, but that can only be known through Spirit.     

Future exploration of the African quadrant of antarctica

EUROPE

Racial Realities in Europe. By Lothrop Stoddard, London: Charles Scribner's Sons,1924. Price 12s. 6d.

Europe. Vol. I. The Peninsula. Edited by B. C. Wallis, B.Sc. (Lond.). Compendium of Geography and Travel (New Issue). With Maps and Illustrations. London: Edward Stanford, Ltd., 1924. Price 15s. net.

The Roman Occupation of Great Britain. Being Six Ford Lectures delivered by F. Haverfield. Now revised by George Macdonald. With numerous Plans and Illustrations. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924, Price 18s. net.

A Pilgrim in Spain. By Aubrey F. G. Bell. London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1924. Price 12s. 6d. net.

Die Pflanzenwelt der Hohen Tatra. By Dr. J. Györffy, Kesmai'k: “Turistik und Alpinism us, 1922.”

Unlcnown Warwickshire. By Mary Dormer Harris. Illustrated by J. E. Duggins. London: John Lane, Ltd., 1924. Trice 15s.

Kirlccaldy Burgh and Schyre: Landmarks of Local History. By Rev. John Campbell, D.D.; Rev. Andrew T. Richardson, F.S.A.; Gregor Macgregor, M.A., B.Sc.; George B. Deas, F.S.A.; and Lachlan Macbean. Kirkcaldy: The Fifeshire Advertiser, Ltd., 1924.

The Mineralogy of Scotland. By the late M. Forster Heddle, M.D., F.R.S.E. Edited by J. G. Goodchild. Reprinted under authority of Alex. Thoms, by the Council of University College, Dundee. Assisted by D. E. I. Innes, M.A., M.C. Two volumes. St. Andrews: W. C. Henderson, 1924. Price 15s.

Clydesdale. By A. MacCallum Scott. London: Thornton Butterworth, Ltd., 1924. Price 7s. 6d, net.

Gone Abroad: A Story of Travel, chiefly in Italy and the Balearic Isles. By Douglas Goldring. London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1925. Price 12s. 6d.

ASIA

Die Feldfrüchte Indiens in ihrer Geographischen Verbreitung. Von Dr. Th. H. Engelbrecht. Erster Teil: Text. Hamburg: L. Friederichsen und Cie., 1914.

Tibet: Past and Present. By Sir Charles Bell, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Late British Political Representative in Tibet, Bhutan, and Sikkim. Author of Grammar of Colloquial Tibetan, and English‐Tibetan Colloquial Dictionary. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1924. Price 21s. net.

AFRICA

The Vast Sudan. By A. Radclyffe Dugmore. London: Arrowsmith, Ltd., 1924. Price 21s.

Mysteries of the Libyan Desert. By W. J. Harding King, F.R.G.S. London: Seeley, Service and Co., Ltd., 1925. Price 21s. net.

Egypt under the Egyptians. By Murray Harris. London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 19–25. Price 12s. 6d.

AMERICA

Mexico in Revolution. By Charlotte Cameron, O.B.E. London: Seele Service and Co., Ltd., 1924. Price 21s.

ARCTIC

My Eskimo Friends: "Nanook of the North.’’ By Robert J. Flaherty, F.R.G.S., in collaboration with Frances Hubbard Flaherty. Illustrated with Photogravures and Colour Plates from Photographs by the Author, Half‐tone Drawings by Eskimo artists, and Maps. London: William Heine‐mann, Ltd., 1924, Price 21s.

GENERAL

The Menace of Colour. By Prof. J. W. Gregory, F.R.S., D.Sc. London: Seeley, Service and Co., Ltd., 1925. Price 12s. 6d. net.

Adventures in Turkey and Russia. By E. H. Keeling, M.O. London: John Murray, 1924. Price 10s. 6d. net.

Ben Kendim: A Record of Eastern Travel. By Lieut.‐Col. Hon. Aubrey Herbert, edited by D. McCarthy. London: Hutchinson and Co., 1924. Price 21s. net.

Selected Papers on Anthropology, Travel and Exploration. By Sir Richard Burton, edited by N. M. Penzer. London: Philpot, Ltd., 1924. Price 15s.

EDUCATIONAL

Certificate Geographies: The Mediterranean. By O. J. R. Howarth, O.B.E., M.A. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924. Price 2s. 6d.

Bell's Natural Science Series: Readable Physical Geography. By J. A. O. Muirhead, B.A. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1925. Price 2s. 4d.

The “Explorer” Geographies: Asia. By J. Thomas; M.A. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1924. Price 2s. 6d.