The struggle for democracy in Algeria a study in civil-ideological war
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE BANISALAMEH, MOHAMMED B.A, Yarmouk University, 1994 THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY TN ALGERIA: A STTTDY IN A CTVTLIDEOLOGICAL WAR Advisor: Fatemeh Shafiei Thesis dated: May, 1998 This study examines the rise ofthe Islamic movement in Algeria, the failure ofthe democratization process and the bloody civil war. The writer was able to establish that both the military leaders and the Islamic fundamentalists are responsible for the turmoil and the bloodshed in Algeria. This study is significant because with the rise ofthe Islamic movement in the Arab world, Algeria became the primary test case for the compatibility ofIslam with democracy and the prospects for democracy in the Arab world. The study was done through the use ofprimary and secondary sources. The study examines Algeria's current crisis, its political, economic and social challenges. The study suggests that the feasible alternative to end the crisis exists only in Algeria and only the Algerian people have the key to their problem. The external involvement is not accepted by the Algerian people and will have a negative impact on the crisis. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICIENT, THE MERCIFUL I would like to convey my sincerest gratitude to the chair ofmy thesis, Dr. Fatemeh Shafiei for her instructions, guidance and assistance. Dr. Hamid Taqi, for his encouragement, patience and assistance. Without your help and advice, I would not have been able to achieve this goal. I wish to thank The Fulbright Program for awarding me a scholarship. I am highly indebted to Sabrina Fuller whose support, advice, patience and encouragement have been very valuable to me. Thanks as well to Yarmouk University in Jordan for paying my monthly allowance. Although space does not permit me to mention many names for their support, I am highly indebted to all the employees in the Robert W. WoodruffLibrary for their help. I give special thanks to Robert E.M.Quarles for his assistance and patience. Also, a word ofthanks to Lisa Beal for typing this manuscript. Finally, I dedicate this thesis to my parents, for their prayers, love and blessings.
Islam and multiparty politics in Algeria
JROM Algeria's independence in 1962 until the mid-1980s, a sturdy triple alliance of army, state, and a single party controlled Algerian politics. The state, which commanded a petrochemical-based economy, was able for some time to produce enough jobs and services to satisfy a large portion of the population. In the 1980s, as debt and falling oil prices sapped the coffers of this "providential state," however, civil society became increasingly restless and in October 1988 erupted in riots that leveled one of the three pillars of the regime-the single-party system. The constitutional revision of February 1989 deprived the National Liberation Front (FLN) of its hegemonic status, opening up a new arena of pluralistic competition for power. Ironically, the primary beneficiary of this step toward democracy has been another "front" whose commitment to a pluralistic society some Algerians have questioned-the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). 1 The introduction of multiparty politics in Algeria, instituted during the rise of an Islamic social movement, has proved a potent brew. The contemporary Algerian Islamist movement has deep roots in the society. From the moment of the French intrusion in the 1830s, Islam provided a refuge of collective identity for Algerians, and Islamic sentiment was a constant source of anti-colonial resistance. In 1931, the reformist Shaykh Abdelhamid Ben Badis founded the Association of Ulama which in turn became one of the component parts of the wartime FLN in the 1950s. The Islamic thread, however, was only one of several in the fabric of the nationalist movement, and other more secular forces
The Colours and Dresses of Racism in America
The monograph argues that American racism has two colours (white and black), not one; and that each racism dresses itself not in one clothing, but in four: (1) “Minimal” negative, when one race considers another race inferior to itself in degree, but not in nature; (2) “Maximal” negative, when one race regards another as inherently inferior; (3) “Minimal” positive, when one race elevates another race to a superior status in degree, but not in nature; and (4) “Maximal” positive, when one race believes that the other race is genetically superior. The monograph maintains that the needs of capitalism created black slavery; that black slavery produced white racism as a justification for black slavery; and that black racism is a backlash of white racism. The monograph concludes that the abolition of black slavery and the civil rights movement destroyed the social and political ground for white and black racism, while the modern development of capitalism is demolishing their economic and intellectual ground.