Editing Muammar Gaddafi (section)

==Public life==
[[File:13th anniversary of the Revolution.jpg|thumb|13th Anniversary of 1 September Revolution on postage stamp, Libya 1982]]
According to Vandewalle, Gaddafi "dominated [Libya's] political life" during his period in power.{{sfn|Vandewalle|2006|p=5}} The sociologist Raymond A. Hinnebusch described the Libyan as "perhaps the most exemplary contemporary case of the politics of charismatic leadership", displaying all of the traits of [[charismatic authority]] outlined by the sociologist [[Max Weber]].{{sfn|Hinnebusch|1984|p=59}} According to Hinnebusch, the foundations of Gaddafi's "personal charismatic authority" in Libya stemmed from the blessing he had received from Nasser coupled with "nationalist achievements" such as the expulsion of foreign military bases, the extraction of higher prices for Libyan oil, and his vocal support for the Palestinian and other anti-imperialist causes.{{sfn|Hinnebusch|1984|p=62}}

A [[cult of personality]] devoted to Gaddafi existed in Libya through most of his rule.{{sfnm|1a1=Bearman|1y=1986|1p=283|2a1=Blundy|2a2=Lycett|2y=1987|2p=20}} His biographer Alison Pargeter noted that "he filled every space, moulding the entire country around himself."{{sfn|Pargeter|2012|p=2}} Depictions of his face could be found throughout the country, including on postage stamps, watches, and school satchels.{{sfn|Blundy|Lycett|1987|p=20}} Quotations from ''The Green Book'' appeared on a wide variety of places, from street walls to airports and pens, and were put to pop music for public release.{{sfn|Blundy|Lycett|1987|p=20}} In private, Gaddafi often complained that he disliked this personality cult surrounding him, but that he tolerated it because the people of Libya adored him.{{sfn|Blundy|Lycett|1987|p=20}} The cult served a political purpose, with Gaddafi helping to provide a central identity for the Libyan state.{{sfn|Bearman|1986|p=284}}

Several biographers and observers characterized Gaddafi as a [[populism|populist]].{{sfnm|1a1=Hinnebusch|1y=1984|1p=61|2a1=Blundy|2a2=Lycett|2y=1987|2p=20}} He enjoyed attending lengthy public sessions where people were invited to question him; these were often televised.{{sfn|First|1974|pp=22–23}} Throughout Libya, crowds of supporters would arrive at public events where he appeared. Described as "spontaneous demonstrations" by the government, there are recorded instances of groups being coerced or paid to attend.{{sfn|Blundy|Lycett|1987|p=16}} He was typically late to public events, and would sometimes fail to arrive.{{sfn|Blundy|Lycett|1987|p=17}} Although Bianco thought he had a "gift for oratory",{{Sfn|Bianco|1975|p=7}} he was considered a poor orator by Blundy and Lycett.{{sfn|Blundy|Lycett|1987|p=18}} The biographer [[Daniel Kawczynski]] noted that Gaddafi was famed for his "lengthy, wandering" speeches,{{sfn|Kawczynski|2011|p=191}} which typically involved criticizing Israel and the US.{{sfn|Blundy|Lycett|1987|p=17}} The journalist [[Ruth First]] described his speeches as being "an inexhaustible flow; didactic, at times incoherent; peppered with snatches of half-formed opinions; admonitions; confidences; some sound common sense, and as much prejudice".{{sfn|First|1974|p=23}}