The Politics of Algeria Domestic Issues and International Relations

This book brings together Algerian-based scholars and Algerians in the diaspora to address the many, salient issues facing Algeria, the largest country in Africa and the Middle East. Until February 22, 2019, Algeria looked like the beacon of stability in the region, for the authoritarian regime eluded the so-called Arab Spring, which resulted in chaos in a number of countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

The authors of the chapters in this book are a mix of sociologists, economists, political scientists, linguists, and international relations specialists who have used the theoretical and methodological instruments in their respective fields to decipher the complexities that characterise the Algerian political system. In the domestic part, some of the chapters deal with issues seldom tackled in Maghreb studies, namely, the language and identities issues, which are at the forefront of the protest movement since February 2019. Other chapters analyse the role of the elites, the emergence of the new entrepreneurs, the future of energy, gender, media, and human rights, the predicament of the rentier state, and the resource curse. The international relations part examines Algeria?s roles in the Mediterranean and in the Sahel, the strategic partnership with China, the complicated relations with France, and the relations with Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Exploring Algeria?s transformation, this collection is an original addition to the books on the Maghreb that will be a key resource to students and scholars interested in the developing world, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Introduction PART I Domestic Issues 1. Algeria in the 2000s: A Rentier System in Crisis Nadji Safir 2. The Misuse of Oil Wealth: An Algerian case study Mohammed Akacem 3. Algeria beyond Oil and Natural Gas: Challenges and Options Sarin Abado & Smail Khennas 4. Algeria’s Elites and Intellectuals Aissa Kadri 5. Policing Algeria under Bouteflika: From Police State to Civil state Rachid Tlemçani 6. Social and Political Attitudes of the Algerian Youth: A Longitudinal Study Mohamed Farid Azzi 7. Jihadism in Algeria: From Lethal to Manageable Dalia Ghanem 8. Gender Equality for Algerian Women Fatma Oussedik 9. Power, media and human rights in Algeria Chérif Dris 10. Language and Identity in Algeria: Deconstructing the Myth of Oneness Mohand Tilmatine 11. The language situation of 21st century Algeria: Navigating the ideology Hayat Messekher and Mohamed Miliani PART II International Relations 12. Algeria in the Mediterranean Ahmed Mahiou 13 Algeria-France: permanent normalization Aomar Baghzouz 14. Understanding Algeria’s Foreign Policy in the Sahel Abdelkader Abderrahmane 15. China’s relations with Algeria: A strategic partnership? Yahia H. Zoubir & Youcef Hamitouche 16. Transnational Trade and New Types of Entrepreneurs in Algeria Saïd Belguidoum 17. Algeria’s Foreign Policy in the Gulf: Iran and the GCC States Fatiha Dazi-Héni 18. Algeria and the Conflict in Western Sahara: Principles and Geopolitics Souadou Lagdaf and Nardjes Flici

Yahia H. Zoubir is Professor of International Studies and International Management and Director of Research in Geopolitics at KEDGE Business School, France. He has taught at various universities in China, Europe, the United States, Indonesia, India, South Korea, and the MENA. He has published numerous books and articles internationally.