Abstract
This paper aims at reviewing the theoretical and empirical literature related to the evolution of democracy in
the Arab world with specific focus on Algerian democratic transition in the last two decades. The paper
attempts to find answers to a number of questions related to the nature and directions of how Algeria has
been ruled since independence and to show how democracy is interpreted and perceived by the rulers and
people. In order to understand the democratic development and transition of Arab states including Algeria,
light will be shed on the modern theory of democracy from multiple perspectives. In this case the paper is
descriptive in nature. This approach is often pursued by researchers assessing political phenomena (Rose,
2001;Talbi and Spencer, 2000) . It has long been debated that the root causes of a “democratic deficit” in Arab
societies are linked to cultural issues, lags in economic development and to colonial history and international
factors that continue to play a significant role in shaping the political landscape in the region. However, this
paper assumes that, taking Algerian case as an example the control of one-party rule or one-individual rule is
taking priority over democratic choice. There is evidence that there is no real circulation of power, as it is the
case in modern democratic systems. Continuing violence and bloody military coups that accompanied the
evolution of democratic transition supports this conclusion. In Algeria, the president is the person who receives
the blessing of the military and western support. This is evident in the exclusion of rivals for the presidency
under false pretenses.
Keywords
References
- Al-Makawi, N .(1998). Democratization and the Islamic challenge of in the Arab world. Journal Of International Politics, Year 132, 311-316
Abstract
References
- Al-Makawi, N .(1998). Democratization and the Islamic challenge of in the Arab world. Journal Of International Politics, Year 132, 311-316
Details
| Primary Language | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Comparative Political Movement |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | July 2, 2010 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2010 |