Democracy and Islam
Article Abstract:
The armed forces in Turkey and Algeria are convinced that they should play a major role in politics. The army's favourite candidate was promoted in Algeria, and all other candidates withdrew except for the favorite, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. In both countries, the army is wary of Islamic fundamentalism, so is unwilling to allow democracy to function without restrictions. The army canceled the 1992 election in Algeria, and civil war followed, while the army played a role in the collapse of a Turkish coalition in 1997. Democracy allows people to vote out governments they do not like, and this is preferable to the army playing safe.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1999
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Identity crisis
Article Abstract:
Protests have erupted in Algeria over a law making Arabic Algeria's only official language for public life. The law, in force from Jul 5 1998, led to sackings of state shops in Kabylia, a Berber speaking region. Many Kabyles also use French in business, with Arabic as their third language. Supporters of the law see the protests as favoring French domination and are concerned that anti-Arab feeling may be linked to Berber opposition to the law. There are doubts as to the enforcement of the law and whether it will become a weapon used to marginalize factions in Algeria's establishment.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1998
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