The collapse of social peace and the crisis of values in Libyan society: A sociological analytical study of the repercussions on the individual and society

Abstract

This study aims to explore and analyze the dialectical relationship between the deterioration of social peace and the exacerbation of the values ​​crisis in societies experiencing protracted conflicts, focusing on Libyan society as a case study. The paper posits that the collapse of social peace is not merely a political or security conflict, but rather the product of a profound "values ​​crisis"a crisis of Identity and values—where narrow loyalties have replaced citizenship, and hybrid values ​​have emerged that contradict the Libyan moral heritage. This has led to a state of anomie, according to Émile Durkheim's sociological perspective. The study employs a descriptive-analytical approach to dissect the repercussions of this collapse on two levels: the individual level, where the study observes the erosion of collective conscience and the rise of utilitarian tendencies and psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and suicide; and the societal level, which Is represented by the fragmentation of the social fabric and its transformation from Institutional solidarity to narrow loyalties (tribal and regional), leading to the erosion of social capital and the spread of structural corruption.  The study concludes that restoring social peace in Libya cannot be achieved through top-down political settlements alone, but requires a comprehensive national strategy to rebuild the "moral system" and restore a unifying national identity, as these are the cornerstones of societal stability and the protection of human capital and future generations from disintegration and loss. At the forefront of this strategy is the reform of educational and media institutions to address current value-based challenges and ensure the return of peaceful coexistence In Libyan society