Algeria From Mass Rebellion In October 1988

The October 1988 rebellion in Algeria is often seen as the result of the economic and social crisis, unemployment, and housing problems. The rebellion is also generally associated with the ensuing democratic opening. This paper questions these interpretations. It scrutinizes the emerging power relations in Algeria and examines how they might be translated into new forms of social control and political domination, in the shadow of 'transition to democracy' from above. It emphasizes the dyad city/factory in delineating the state of social relations and the dynamics of 'social movements' before and after October 1988. It argues that the rebellion was the result of a social model characterized by the refusal to institutionalize demands, and a power system inclined to concentrate its efforts on repressive acts, thus favouring the conversion of demands into revolt. The post-1988 political reforms thus resulted from a crisis of legitimacy and the deteriorating relationship between the government and the governed.

Current Africa Issue 13 (ISSN 0280-2171)

Contents
Introduction
The October 1988 rebellion
The field of marginality
From the weakness of social movements to the popular explosion
Workers' social protests
Workers on strike
The demands of workers
Instead of conclusion: the city, the factory and the state