Bougherira, MR 1999, Algeria's foreign policy 1979-1992: continuity and/or change , PhD thesis, University of Salford.

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Abstract

This study analyses Algeria's foreign policy under the leadership of President Chadli Bendjadid from February 1979 until January 1992. Its aim is to investigate the extent of continuity and/or change in Algeria's foreign policy during this period. The central finding of this thesis is that "change within continuity" best describes what characterised Algeria's foreign policy under the post-1979 leadership. This thesis is divided into two parts. The First Part is composed of four chapters. Chapter One relates theoretical approaches. It examines whether or not there is a satisfactory approach that can be applied for our case study. In the same chapter, the making of Algeria's foreign policy is scrutinised through the identification and typological analysis of the key factors in the conceptualisation and implementation of Algeria's foreign policy. It also uncovers who makes Algerian foreign policy. Chapter Two identifies the guiding principles behind the formulation of Algeria's foreign policy. In this chapter, reference to the FLN's past diplomatic activities is reviewed as it serves to provide a significant understanding of the context within which the fundamental principles of the policy pursued by contemporary Algeria were shaped, defined and set as the official framework for Algeria's foreign policy. Chapter Three deals with Algeria's foreign policy behaviour from 1962 to the end of 1978. A clear understanding of post-1979 Algerian foreign policy needs to rest on a review of how Algeria's foreign policy was determined and implemented in the years preceding this period and what were the dominant issues of the country's foreign policy at the time of Bendjadid's appointment. The Second Part comprises three chapters. It considers Bendjadid's leadership by exploring a number of issues/areas that came to be the focus of his government's external policy. Chapter Four relates to Algeria's policy towards its proximate neighbouring countries --Morocco-Tunisia- Libya-- and the more distant Mashreq. This chapter suggests that the Western Sahara remained the central thrust of Algeria's Maghreb policy, just as it had been in the last years of Houari Boumediene's tenure (1975-1978). It also spells out the end of Algeria's radicalism in the Mashreq. Chapter Five concerns the Franco-Algerian relationship. It emphasizes that towards France, Algeria has followed several successive policies which alternated between change and continuity. Chapter Six focuses on Algeria's policy towards the two superpowers and its role within the non-aligned movement. It argues that continuity has dominated Algeria's policy towards the former while substantive change came about in regard to its role towards the latter. Finally, the thesis concludes by indicating an agenda of areas where further research is recommended.

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