Overview

Ever since independence, revolts and riots in North Africa have structured relations between society and the state. While the state has always managed to restore order, the unexpected outbreak of the Arab Spring revolts has presented a real challenge to state stability. Taking a long-term historical perspective, this book analyses how public authorities have implemented policies to manage the Maghreb's restive societies, viewed at first as 'retrograde' and then as 'radicalised'. National cohesion has been a major concern for post-colonial leaders who aim to build strong states capable of controlling the population. Historically, North African nations found colonial oppression to be the very bond that united them, but what continues to hold these communities and nation-states together after independence? If public interest is not at the heart of the state's actions, how can national loyalties be maintained? Luis Martinez analyses how states approach these questions, showing that the fight against jihadist groups both helps to reconstruct essential ties of state belonging and also promotes the development of a border control policy. He highlights the challenges posed by fragile political communities and weak state instruments, and the response of leaders striving to build peaceful pluralistic nations in North Africa.

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9781787382961

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Reviews

'As the state's authority and legitimacy in the region diminishes, Martinez's convincing and incisive analysis argues that only recognition of North African states' social diversity and plurality can help in reclaiming its role.' -- Francesco Cavatorta, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Universite Laval 'An insightful political history of the states of North Africa from independence to the turmoil of the present day, shedding much-needed light on the crucial factors that challenge their national cohesion and development. A welcome addition to the debates about Arab politics after the uprisings.' -- Frederic Volpi, Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh 'Timely, apposite and excellent. Martinez, a leading scholar of the region, highlights the role of nation-building as the key preoccupation of Maghribi states since independence, succinctly describing their respective pasts and the challenges to come. Essential reading for students of the region.' -- George Joffe, Department of Politics and International Studies, the University of Cambridge

' The State in North Africa offers readers a strong regional and empirical foundation in the topic and a broad account of statehood that has been somewhat overlooked.' -- Times Higher Education 'As the state's authority and legitimacy in the region diminishes, Martinez's convincing and incisive analysis argues that only recognition of North African nations' social diversity and plurality can help in reclaiming its role.' -- Francesco Cavatorta, Associate Professor of Political Science, Universite Laval 'An insightful political history of the states of North Africa from independence to the turmoil of the present day, shedding much-needed light on the crucial factors that challenge their national cohesion and development. A welcome addition to the debates about Arab politics after the uprisings.' -- Frederic Volpi, Professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh 'Timely, apposite and excellent. Martinez, a leading scholar of the region, highlights the role of nation-building as the key preoccupation of Maghrebi states since independence, succinctly describing their respective pasts and the challenges to come. Essential reading for students of the region.' -- George Joffe, Research Associate, London Middle East Institute, SOAS University of London

Author Information

Luis Martinez is a senior research fellow at CERI Sciences Po, Paris. Formerly visiting professor at Columbia University (2000-1) and the University of Montréal (2007-8), he is the author of, inter alia, The Algerian Civil War, 1990–1998; The Libyan Paradox; and The Violence of Petro-Dollar Regimes, all published by Hurst.

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