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'Jamahiriya' (Arabic جماهيرية) is an Arabic term generally translated as "state of the masses." The term, a neologism coined by Muammar al-Gaddafi, is intended to be a generic term describing a type of state, like a "republic ruled by the masses."
In practice, the only state to which the term has ever been applied is Libya, of which Gaddafi is the ''Caid'' (translated ''Leader''). Although Gaddafi holds no public office or title, he is accorded the honorifics "Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya" or "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution" in government statements and the official press.^[1]

Contents

Etymology

Background

External links

References and notes

Etymology

The word jamāhīrīya was derived from ''jumhūrīya,'' which is the usual Arabic translation of ''republic.'' It was coined by changing the component ''jumhūr'' — "public" — to its plural form, ''jamāhīr'' — "the masses". Thus, it is similar to the term People's Republic.
It is often left untranslated in English, with Libya's long-form name thus rendered as ''Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.''

Background

The Libyan government states that Libya is a direct democracy without political parties, governed by its populace through local councils. Because this system is ostensibly unique to Libya, the term ''jamahiriya'' was coined to describe it. Nevertheless, many observers consider the country a military dictatorship under the rule of Qaddafi.

External links

★ CIA World Factbook entry for Libya

★ Meaning of Jamahirya on Youtube

References and notes

1. US Department of State's Background Notes, (Nov. 2005) "Libya - History", ''U.S. Dept. of State'', Accessed July 14, 2006