Research on the Approach to and Practice of Citizenship : Case of Algerian Society

The issue of citizenship strongly imposed itself on Algerian society during the period of French colonization, which caused a profound transformation of traditional community ties (social, ethnic, and religious bonds). With the emergence of the national movement and later the War of National Liberation, citizenship became closely intertwined with the claim to nationality. After independence in 1962, it became associated with egalitarian and socialist aspirations, and later with the wave of liberalization that followed the events of October 1988 and the rise of democratic discourse.

Subject to the pressures of these various elements (identity-based, communal, nationalist, egalitarian, and later liberal influences), citizenship appears to have encountered difficulties in emerging with a clearly defined status. Nevertheless, it remains at the heart of the challenges facing contemporary Algeria, particularly concerning the relationship between the State and society as a whole, as well as their joint relationship with the surrounding world, whose effects of globalization are increasingly felt. We will also see that this issue concerns not only Algerians living in their country but also those living abroad, particularly in France.

For this reason, we considered it useful to address this issue through several questions, including the following:

What is citizenship and how has Algerian society been confronted with it ?

Does citizenship exist in our society and how is it expressed ?

What are its driving forces, obstacles, and stakes ?