Publication

This paper discusses the nature of the presidential elections in Algeria and explores political reasons why these are hold. The author argues that the elections are exercises in legitimation achieved through the mobilization of allegiance. They are held not to establish the people's choice, but to secure popular assent to a choice that has already been made by the ruling oligarchy and, through this, legitimation of the oligarchy itself. Accordingly, the formally pluralist aspect of these proceedings should not be thought to imply that there is a significant competition.