Continuities and discontinuities in the Algerian social formation

The Algerian social formation has experienced since independence a series of discontinuities and ruptures in its economic, political, social, linguistic and ethnic structures. My approach to this study is historical and analytical, and ascertains that these discontinuities cannot be looked at separately, but rather have to be merged for a comprehension of the events taking place in Algeria. The first chapter introduces the theoretical framework. The second chapter explores the development of the private sector and its impact on society. It is argued that the policies of the ben-Bella (1962-1965), bou-Medienne (1965-1978), and ben-Djedid (1978-1992) governments lacked the nationalist character to transform the Algerian society. The political structures were a consequence of a compromise between different social classes. The third chapter investigates the bourgeoisie manifest in the 1980s and its alliance with the nomenklatura to undermine the development of socialism. The fourth chapter discloses the role of the nomenklatura in subverting the workers' role in the enterprises, as well as its parasitory role in blocking the emergence of new industrial relations, by relying on clientelism, regionalism and ethnicity in building its power. In the fifth chapter, it is argued that the Algerian state, like its Arab counterparts, is basically instrumental and oppressive, and that its creation was forged in a colonial struggle rather than class antagonism. The sixth chapter discusses the collapse of the cultural sphere and the failure of Arabization in Algeria. The process of Arabization was a result of elitism rather than the outcome of a sophisticated plan. The seventh chapter investigates the Berber question and how the process of Arabization and compromise between secular and conservative forces in the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s refused to recognize Berber particularism. The eight chapter discusses another rupture in the Algerian social formation: the emergence of the Islamists who are now in total war with the military Junta. The last chapter is devoted to a summary of the former arguments presented in the study and an attempt to forecast the future of Algeria.