Eyes to the South: French Anarchists & Algeria [Paperback]

“Porter’s sensitive, learned, and accessible account is highly recommended for anyone wishing to acquire a deeper knowledge of the history of modern Algeria, as well as of the range of anarchist approaches, in both France and Algeria, to the pathways of Algerian politics before and since independence.” —Mohammed Bamyeh, author ofAnarchy as Order: The History and Future of Civic Humanity

“Eyes to the Southmakes a significant and valuable contribution to a small but growing literature analyzing the complex and problematic engagement of anarchists with decolonization in general, and Algeria in particular.” ?David Berry, author of A History of the French Anarchist Movement, 1917 to 1945 makes a significant and valuable contribution to a small but growing literature analyzing the complex and problematic engagement of anarchists with decolonization in general, and Algeria in particular.” —David Berry, author ofA History of the French Anarchist Movement, 1917 to 1945

Eyes to the Southexplores important issues from the last six tumultuous decades of Algerian history, including French colonial rule, nationalist revolution, experiments in workers’ self-management, the rise of radical Islamist politics, an insurgent revival of traditional decentralist resistance and political structures, conflicts over cultural identity, women's emancipation, and major “blowback” on the ex-colonial power itself. David Porter's nuanced examination of these issues helps to clarify Algeria’s current political, economic, and social conditions, and resonates with continuing conflicts and change in Africa and the Middle East more generally. At the same time,Eyes to the Southdescribes and analyzes the observers themselves—the various components of the French anarchist movement—and helps to clarify and enrich the discussion of issues such as national liberation, violence, lsi