The Geopolitical Dimension of Algerian Identity
Roukaia BOUKARRAS
Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University – Mostaganem, Algeria
roukai.boukarras@univ-mosta.dz
ORCID: 0009-0003-7241-8721
Abstract
To comprehend the geopolitics of identity in Algeria, it is necessary to be familiar with the cultural, historical, and political factors that shape the country’s national identity, including its cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity. The resolution of these factors and the promotion of national unity are imperative. The concept of identity is a pivotal catalyst for the convergence, interaction, and exchange of ideas in international relations. The principles of acceptance, respect, acknowledgement of uniqueness, and recognition of differences characterise this paradigm. This can affect the smooth handling of local and regional issues, whether related to ethnicity, gender, lineage, or religious, political, or ideological beliefs, within a positive and tolerant context. Identity plays a crucial role in analyzing, interpreting, and anticipating potential changes and trends, as it is a motivating and influential force in international affairs. However, it is also the primary source of human divisions and the leading cause of wars and conflicts. It faces various challenges and can create a crisis between “self” and “other.” This necessitates defending national values by activating the role of the state in protecting its principles and fortifying its youth.
Keywords: Crisis of self and other, Geopolitics of Identity, identity challenges, identity diplomacy, symbolic interaction
How to Cite this Paper :
Boukarras R. (2026). The Geopolitical Dimension of Algerian Identity. Atras Journal, 7(1), 46-64.
References:
Bennett, M. (2004). The development of collective self-esteem and in‐group favoritism: The role of self and group identity. Child Development, 75(3), 555–577. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00691.x
Carter, M. J., & Fuller, C. (2016). Symbols, meaning, and action: The past, present, and future of symbolic interactionism. Current Sociology, 64(6), 931–961. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392116638396
Kinnvall, C. (2004). Globalization and religious nationalism: Self, identity, and the search for ontological security. Political Psychology, 25(5), 741–767. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9221.2004.00396.x
Filiu, J.-P. (2015). From deep state to Islamic State: The Arab counter-revolution and its jihadi legacy. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210504005819
Harshé, R. (2006). Culture, identity and international relations. Economic and Political Weekly, 41(37), 3945–3951.
Jetten, J., Haslam, C., & Haslam, S. A. (Eds.). (2012). The social cure: Identity, health and well-being. Psychology Press.
Kandil, H. (2020). Algerian identity and the cultural politics of language: Contesting French hegemony, 1962–2012. Lexington Books.
Kroger, J. (2007). Identity development: Adolescence through adulthood (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Masolo, D. A. (2002). Community, identity, and the cultural space. Rue Descartes, 2002(36), 19–51. https://doi.org/10.3917/rdes.036.0019
McDougall, J. (2006). The politics of Algeria: Domestic issues and international relations. Routledge.
McDougall, J. (2017). Algeria’s identity crisis: Colonialism, Islamism and the new geopolitics. African Affairs, 116(464), 495–507. https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adx025
Raud, R. (2016). Zygmunt Bauman’s critique of multiculturalism: A polemical reading. Revue internationale de philosophie, 70(3), 381–397. https://doi.org/10.3917/rip.277.0381
Roberts, H. (2014). The geopolitics of Algeria: A long view. Middle East Institute Policy Brief, 2014(2), 1–11.
Copyright for all articles published in ATRAS belongs to the author. The authors also grant permission to the publisher to publish, reproduce, distribute, and transmit the articles. ATRAS publishes accepted papers under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License. Authors submitting papers for publication in ATRAS agree to apply the CC BY-NC 4.0 license to their work. For non-commercial purposes, anyone may copy, redistribute material, remix, transform, and construct material in any media or format, provided that the terms of the license are observed and the original source is properly cited.