The international dimension of democratisation : the case of Algeria

Abstract

Between October 1988 and January 1992, one of the most interesting attempts to move away from authoritarian rule towards democratic governance occurred in Algeria. While the attention of the world was focused on events taking place in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, the Algerian ruling elite was leading the country on the course of democratisation. This study attempts to explain how the transition was triggered, how it developed and how it ended. At the same time, the project rejects the 'nativist' assumption that characterises for the most part the literature on transitions and explains the transition process by concentrating on the role played by the external environment.