Abstract
This article analyses the relationship between France and Algeria in the immediate aftermath of Algerian independence. In 1963, Algeria repeatedly breached the Evian Accords, and continuously threatened France’s national interests. Yet, French policymakers accommodated Algeria’s reassertion and even rewarded it with a generous coopeération package. I will argue that
this remarkable discrepancy was due to Gaullist France’s belief that association with its former colony would benefit its image and influence in the Third World. Algeria at the time enjoyed significant prestige in Asia and Africa, and this was precisely the arena where France was keen to deploy its leadership in order to enhance its independence from the two superpowers. This perception detracted Paris from the cool-blooded pursuit of ‘realist’ state interests.
this remarkable discrepancy was due to Gaullist France’s belief that association with its former colony would benefit its image and influence in the Third World. Algeria at the time enjoyed significant prestige in Asia and Africa, and this was precisely the arena where France was keen to deploy its leadership in order to enhance its independence from the two superpowers. This perception detracted Paris from the cool-blooded pursuit of ‘realist’ state interests.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 23-44 |
| Journal | Journal of North African Studies |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Franco-Algerian relations
- decolonisation
- third world policy
- third-worldism
- coopération
- 1952 Evian Accords
- French nuclear essays