1. Kapil, Arun Le Drame Algérien: Un Peuple en Otage by Reporters Sans Frontières, Editions La Découverte, Paris, 1994, reviewed in Middle East Journal, Spring 1995, 339-340. Ref: DS41M4J
Book Review:
The impact which widespread internal chaos in Algeria is currently having on the economy of the nation as a whole constitutes a major portion of this book, reviewed by Arun Kapil in the Middle East Journal. Mr. Kapil points out that all serious scholars of Algerian economic affairs must have access to materials, such as the work under review, published in French, and goes on to critique this 200 page analysis comprised of several dozen essays, written by Algerians and Frenchmen. He notes that the on-going insurgency movements within Algeria are contributing to destabilization of the economy, adversely affecting Algeria's ability to honor trade pacts and agreements abroad. Although several essays are devoted to matters indirectly influencing the economy, many focus precisely and succinctly on the breakdown of normal economic activity in several sectors within the country during recent years.
This review is particularly useful in identifying new academic materials emerging from France dealing with the current economic status of Algeria. Such reviews can provide insight into the specific sectors, both political and economic, which may be worthy of study by an economist interested in Algeria's current productivity and external commerce.
2. Loos, Baudouin "Des Militaires qui Savent Déléguer", Le Soir, Brussels, 27 June 1997, 6. Electronic Internet Reference: http://www.lesoir.be
Newspaper Article:
This news article, entitled in English "Military Men Who Know How to Delegate Authority" was printed in a major Belgian evening daily last summer. It deals insightfully with political events inside Algeria and analyzes the impact that these events are having on Algeria's industrial production, later turning to description of the increasing impoverishment of the country. The restructuring of certain Government Ministries is analyzed and light is shed on the possibility of a slight improvement in the midst of general decline.
This article provides much-needed insight into the overall extent of damage to Algeria's economy as a result of terrorism and armed insurrection. It could be used to supplement other materials and would lend further support and authenticity to any scholarly analysis.
3. Malley, Robert The Call from Algeria: Third Worldism, Revolution, and the Turn to Islam, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1996. Ref: DT295.5 M341996.
Book :
Malley, a 34 year old scholar, devotes a good deal of his attention to the state of economic affairs in Algeria during the last decade. His information is especially valuable because it brings his reader up to date on current events in this increasingly "Third World" nation. He notes with some dismay that Algeria, once considered a viable emerging North African power from an economic standpoint, is now sinking, although it was once an acceptably centralized economic model, into virtual feudal "warlordism." He explains that this shift toward internal decay and chaos is eroding the faith that the IMF, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, indeed the entire international lending community, may have once had in Algeria's ability to grow and prosper. Although much of what Malley asserts may be founded in speculation, his book appears well researched and he seems to have pondered some of the major issues affecting the Algerian economy in recent years. His work contributes tangibly to examination of Algeria's role in the world economy because of its well-reasoned analysis of the nature of internal dissent affecting Algeria's overall performance and productive potential.
4. Mortimer, Robert "Islamists, Soldiers, and Democrats: The Second Algerian War", Middle East Journal, Winter 1996, 334-356. Ref: DS41M584J
Scholarly Journal:
Professor Mortimer is not an economist, but rather a political scientist. His article, therefore, deals principally with socio-political and structural aspects of the on-going internal strife in Algeria. However, he does include a section in his article on the economic impact of the insurgency movement. His insights provide the economist, however, with information which could be useful in planning possible business or trade activity with Algeria. He also alludes to the disruption of external trade and industrial production as a result of the growing internal chaos within the country.
This article, coupled with purely economic data, could furnish the underpinnings for a convincing position-paper outlining the likelihood of success in potential commercial relations with Algerian private firms or Ministries.
5. --------------- League of Arab States, General Secretariat, United Arab Statistical Abstract, 1980-1988. Ref: JX1977.A2 E ESCWA STAT 90/7.
Statistical Source:
This abstract displays facts and figures which are useful to any serious study of the Algerian economy and the nation's ability to contribute to world trade. One table, attached, displays available manpower throughout the country within a given timeframe, and furnishes data on economically active and inactive employees.
While this statistical resource includes data for other Arab countries, the sections devoted to Algeria are complete and updated in accordance with the latest census and economic information. Charts and extensive tables comprise this volume which could serve as a useful reference in building arguments and supporting assertions in any scholarly paper dealing with Algerian or Arab economic activity.
6. ------------- "Oil Industry Profile: Algeria", M'Bendi African Information & Newsletter Services, August 9, 1997, Lusaka, Zambia. Electronic Internet Reference: http://www.mbendi.co.za/cyaloi.htm
News Magazine:
The M'Bendi African Information Service periodically updates its pages which contain specific economic information pertaining to African nations. The Algerian section includes basic economic data, as well as highlights of new projects, trade agreements or ministerial changes. Policy issues are discussed. Figures are furnished and an outline of the nation's potential is provided. The names of major international firms and corporations, such as Mobil Oil and ARCO, currently doing business with Algeria are also made available, in addition to other current business information.
Such a newsletter serves as a valuable resource, largely because it provides updated data and information relating to new contractual agreements between Algeria and the external business community. Inasmuch as the M'Bendi news service is oriented toward business activity, specifically, it seems to exclude accounts of major internal socio-economic events within Algeria which could negatively impact the overall economic picture of the nation.