Originally published in the 1970s, The Green Book presents Muammar Gaddafi’s vision for an alternative to capitalism and communism. It offers a “Third Universal Theory” blending direct democracy, socialism, and Islamic values. The book is divided into three parts: political, economic, and social structures.
The Green Book is a short book setting out the political philosophy of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The book was first published in 1975. It was "intended to be read by all people". It is said to have been inspired in part by The Little Red Book (Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung). Both were widely distributed both inside and outside their country of origin, and "written in a simple, understandable style with many memorable slogans". An English translation was issued by the Libyan People's Committee, and a bilingual English/Arabic edition was issued in London by Martin, Brian & O'Keeffe in 1976. During the Libyan Civil War, copies of the book were burned by anti-Gaddafi demonstrators. This edition has the necessary publication rights to be published.
Discover the manifesto that challenged the East-West divide and reshaped Libya for over four decades.
Penned by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in the 1970s, The Green Book outlines a revolutionary political philosophy that sought to replace traditional representative democracy and capitalism with what Gaddafi termed the "Third Universal Theory." A bold attempt to fuse Arab nationalism, Islamic socialism, and anti-imperialism, the book proposes sweeping alternatives in governance, economics, and social organization.
In Part One, Gaddafi critiques parliamentary democracy and advocates for direct popular authority through “People’s Congresses.”
In Part Two, he attacks wage labor and capitalism, proposing a cooperative economy grounded in shared ownership of production.
Part Three delves into the societal and cultural spheres, offering provocative views on family, gender, and education.
While controversial, The Green Book remains a compelling document of ideological ambition, one that continues to provoke debate among political scientists, historians, and those interested in anti-colonial thought and alternative modernities.
Whether you're a student of geopolitics, a reader of revolutionary texts, or simply curious about the mind behind Libya’s long-standing regime, The Green Book offers a direct line into one of the 20th century's most enigmatic political leaders.
This edition is a faithful reproduction of the original English translation and is presented for educational and scholarly use.
