Algeria in Transition: Reforms and Development Prospects

For more than a decade, Algeria has been experiencing one of the most difficult periods in its post-independence history. Throughout, attempts have been made at political and economic reforms. And until recently, the conduct of these structural reforms proved very slow and of limited scale. The end result has is a multidimensional crisis represented by a paralyzed political system, a stagnant economy and deteriorating social conditions. Aware of the implications of being left behind, in a world characterized by increasing globalization, the new leadership (from 1999) has voiced its strong commitment to continue and deepen the process of restructuring and pledged its determination to speed up its implementation as well. This marks a significant departure from former policies. Algeria in Transition surveys what has been achieved since; what remains to be done; and the challenges lying ahead. It addresses key issues - ranging from political reforms and stability, external relations, social conditionsto integration in the world economy - facing Algeria during this phase of transition to democratic rule and market economy. This book, by providing an up-to-date, systematic analytical account on transformations in Algeria, makes a valuable contribution to the literature on this country that has not yet received much attention in the Anglo-American academy. Its distinctive feature is that it entirely focuses on Algeria, thus departing from existing studies dealing with the entire geographical area of North Africa or the Maghreb.