Libya: State Establishment and Limitation of Resources (1951-1973)

Abstract

The research aims to identify the problems that faced the establishment of the Libyan state after the declaration of independence and to identify the resources of income used for financing the development programs; at the time when there were no resources available. Actually, the period before independence, everything was ruled and controlled by the foreigners. For example, the Italians owned and run the huge areas of lands & farms and most of the banks and insurance companies were under their control as well.  Those foreigners have also mastered all services sections such as the stone mines, factories, publishing and advertising companies. Therefore, Libyans were left with no chance, and the only economic activities available for them were proceeding with traditional agriculture and some handmade works such as crafts. These activities considered as secondary ones which could not serve the country economics or improve its finance status. All these negative factors have made it very difficult for those who were trying to create some development and improvement to the Libyan economic and financial situation. A data analyzing and statistics program was used during the period of fifties and sixties of the twentieth century to calculate and indicate the results of development programs which were executed during the last period mentioned. These studies results showed a less rate of illiteracy and a moderate improvement of medical services with an increase in the national financial income after the initiation of oil exporting during the sixties of the twentieth century. Generally, there was an improvement all services. These achievements and improvements were strong reasons to lead the farmers and workers away from poor agriculture and old-style industry fields and to seek better jobs.