Nate Mason former Commercial Attache for the US Embassy in Libya has finally tried his able hand at op-ed writing. Here he discusses the question of centralization vs. decentralization and how this debate contributes to administrative brokenness in the new Libya. He frames the issue in a novel and fascinating way. I disagree with a few of the points but that is what makes horseracing. In Mason's vision Libya is too centralized. In my vision it is too decentralized. I don't consider the current GNC system and the drive for consensus as 'centralized' nor do I consider the constant requirement for the levers of government to be pulled in Tripoli as an "issue of centralization." I see it as an issue of dysfunction. I advocate enough centralization that authority can be devolved to a periphery that is empowered to act but to act only on behalf of the central government. Click here for Nate's full article.
Libya’s post revolution transitional governments have maintained the “Committees Everywhere” governance style: a consensus-driven and obsessively centralized model created by Colonel Muammar Qaddafi. For example, even minor decisions such as prioritizing construction projects in far-off towns and villages remain firmly on Tripoli’s agenda. Local leaders generally select representatives sent to Tripoli based on a combination of loyalty and dispensability, ensuring the representatives lack the authority to make decisions without phoning home. As a result, the General National Congress behaves as a mammoth committee of the country’s local notables. It is no surprise that its decisions are few and irresolute.In Libya, tribal, religious, and community leaders—not national officials—have so far prevented the anarchy existent since the revolution from devolving into pure chaos. The current, highly-centralized governance structure should be recognized as the Qaddafi holdover that it is, and Libya should look to the traditional community structures that have demonstrated success. In fact, a national dialogue that brings militia and traditional leaders together to discuss governance is gaining traction even as violence escalates in Benghazi and Tripoli. Prime Minister Zidan, with the enthusiastic support of foreign governments, should use his temporarily heightened stature to convene this dialogue as soon as is practical.