Interdisciplinary Political Studies http://siba-ese.unisalento.it/index.php/idps ISSN: 2039-8573 (electronic version) IdPS, Issue 5(1) 2019: 115-155 DOI: 10.1285/i20398573v5n1p115 Published: June 24, 2019 RESEARCH ARTICLE What about the Civil Society? A Micro-Level Assessment of Cri- sis Response Mechanisms in Libya Laura Berlingozzi Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa ABSTRACT This study intends to highlight how a holistic approach to stabilization in providing services, improving security, and empowering local actors should pay particular attention to engaging every segment of the Libyan society, especially women. As it is fundamental for the future of Libya’s governance to analyze what stabilization implies, the analysis discerns the individual determinants that shape civilians’ percep- tions of stability. The study employs data from the Third Wave of the Arab Democracy Barometer (2012-2014). Relying on OLS regression analysis, the research finds that including gender equality and women’s empowerment in the stabilization agenda, as well as ensuring the promotion of democracy and human rights; the implementation of gradual reforms; establishing a trustworthy and effective govern- ment; and fighting corruption are core issues identified by Libyans as elements contributing to a successful stabilization approach, thus avoiding the risk of falling back into a violent path. KEYWORDS: Stabilization, Libya, Gender mainstreaming, Local actors CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Laura Berlingozzi (laura.berlingozzi@santannapisa.it) Work licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non commercial-Share alike 3.0 Italian License IdPS, ISSN: 2039-8573 - - Copyright © 2019 - Author brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by Università del Salento: ESE - Salento University Publishing