The revolution that overthrew Gaddafi's regime in 2011 was deeply marked by the essential features of Libyan society, such as its lack of social integration or its widespread clientelism and tribalism. All these features are deeply rooted in the historical past of the country. The Gaddafist regime itself was also formed very much by these same factors, and at the same time, it helped to shape them to some extent. Thus, it can be said that this regime was a singular experiment of partial modernisation in combination with a pronounced conservatism with respect to other aspects of social life. Consequently, despite its enthusiastic revolutionary rethoric, it appeared to be not very different from other regimes in the region. We believe it is on this basis that its ideology must be approached. Not only its actions in both the internal and external spheres but also those aspects that are most idiosyncratic and striking, such as the Green Book or the frequently histrionic behaviour of its leader.