Understanding the Persistence of Competitive Authoritarianism in Algeria

by Dalia Ghanem

Overview

This book unravels the secrets behind the Algerian regime’s survival and the pillars of its longevity. How did authoritarian consolidation happen, and why is it likely to continue despite Bouteflika’s departure and the emergence of a new actor: the popular movement, Hirak. The author sheds light on the pillars behind the durability of Algeria’s regime. The latter has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to perpetuate itself through an array of mechanisms. It identifies Algeria’s authoritarianism as a distinctly competitive and adaptable kind, which has better allowed the regime to persist in the face of all manner of change. The book analyzes Algeria’s situation and the regime persistence far from the premise of a trend towards democratization. The project also contributes to a broader area of study concerned with “competitive authoritarianism,” regimes that face domestic resistance, the question of what and how compels such regimes to change, the nature of their political institutions, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031051043
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	08/23/2022
Series:	Middle East Today
Edition description:	1st ed. 2022
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Dalia Ghanem is a former Senior Resident Scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Lebanon, where her research focused on Algeria’s political, economic, social, and security developments. Dr. Ghanem holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines. Her Ph.D. thesis analysed the drivers of youth radicalization during the civil war in Algeria (1999-2001). Her research also examined political violence, radicalization, civil-military relationships, transborder dynamics, and gender.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction. - Chapter 2. The Military: The Real Broker of Power in Algeria. - Chapter 3. Hyperpluralism and Co-optation: The Secrets Behind Turning the Opposition into a Pillar of the Regime. - Chapter 4. Divide and Conquer: The Atomization of Civil Society. - Chapter 5. A Controlled Economic Liberalization. - Chapter 6. The Policies of Violence and Repression. - Chapter 7. Conclusion: Algeria's Future Prospects: Less Competitive, More Authoritarian

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A very rich and useful research on Algeria, merging historical and political perspectives. It paves the way to a very stimulating and comparative concept, as the Algerian regime is conceived as a 'competitive authoritarianism', stressing the role of army as a powerful institution, and functional practices like cooptation, pluripartism and limited liberalization. Hirak is properly described as a very inclusive social movement that highlights the fragility of competitive authoritarianism. To be absolutely used both by political scientists and historians, as well as all those who are keen on the Algerian puzzle!” (Bertrand Badie, Professor Emeritus of Universities at Sciences Po Paris, France)

“Excellent insights for students and seasoned political scientists into the functioning of a competitive authoritarian system that for decades has managed to weather substantial challenges through fine-tuning of its “toolkit” rather than overhauling of its foundations. This book impressively dissects how the regime has used competition within authoritarianism to thwart civil society and, of course, the Hirak – and it convincingly concludes that by 2021 the regime no longer needed or wanted competition.” (Isabelle Werenfels, Senior Fellow and Maghreb Expert, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, Berlin, Germany)

“For a long time there has been a need for a book that explains the remarkable resilience and persistence of the political regime in Algeria in the face of huge challenges and the through flow of leading figures. Dalia Ghanem’s book fulfils this need perfectly. An established and astute observer of Algerian politics, Ghanem successfully deploys her detailed knowledge to explain how the experience of Algeria informs our broader understanding of the workings of authoritarian political systems. This book will become an essential text for anyone wanting to understand both Algeria and authoritarian resilience.” (Michael J. Willis, professor ofcontemporary Maghreb politics, St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom)

“This is the book everyone waited to understand Algeria's political system. Extremely well researched, documented, based on interviews conducted during the Hirak, this is a must-read book, Dr. Dalia Ghannem exceptional work allows us to better understand the political dynamics in Algeria and the resilience of political the system there”. (Dr. Djallil Lounnas, Associate Professor, Al Akhawayn University.)

Editorial Reviews

The book gives a deep historical and political insight into the functioning of the authoritarian Algerian government and how it has managed to survive since independence despite huge challenges. The book is an easy read and should be a reference work on how Algeria survived the upheavals in the region.” (Abdul Adil, The Muslim News, muslimnews.co.uk, December 30, 2022)

From the Publisher