Skip to main content

The Obsession with Algeria in the Ideology of the French Far Right: An Analysis by Benjamin Stora

French historian Benjamin Stora provides a deep historical insight into the obsession of the French far right with Algeria. His analysis, grounded in a profound understanding of Franco-Algerian relations and colonial history, offers an enlightening perspective on the ideological foundations of movements such as the National Front (FN), which later became the National Rally (RN).

The Foundation of the National Front: Between Vichy and the Algerian War

Stora situates the birth of the FN in 1972 in the wake of two significant but distinct events: the Vichy regime (1940-1944) and the Algerian War (1954-1962). According to Stora, the ideology of the French far right draws inspiration from an imperial nostalgia based on a hierarchical and discriminatory order, where the French occupied the top position and the colonized peoples were relegated to the bottom.


Colonial Nostalgia and the Myth of Lost Greatness

In an interview with the Turkish channel TRT in French, Stora describes how the French far right, through the FN and RN, perpetuates a myth of lost imperial greatness. This nostalgia is particularly pronounced among those who lament the period when France possessed a vast empire, including Algeria, which was seen not only as a colony but as an extension of France itself.

The Betrayal by De Gaulle

For the far right, the "tragedy of French Algeria" symbolizes a betrayal, personified by General Charles de Gaulle. De Gaulle is accused of abandoning Algeria by accepting to negotiate with the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic, which led to Algeria’s independence. He is viewed as responsible for the loss of what they considered an integral part of French territory.

The Role of Algerians in the Far-Right Imagination

Stora highlights that, within this ideology, Algerians are identified as the cause of the collapse of the French colonial empire. They are regarded distinctly from other immigrants due to the symbolic importance of Algeria in the French colonial imagination. The far right seeks to revise the 1968 migration agreements as part of a revenge against Algeria.

Conclusion

Benjamin Stora's analysis highlights how the ideology of the French far right is deeply rooted in imperial nostalgia and resentment towards Algeria and Algerians. This historical perspective sheds light on contemporary dynamics in Franco-Algerian relations and the political discourse of the far right in France.


References

  1. Stora, Benjamin. La Gangrène et l’Oubli: La mémoire de la guerre d'Algérie. Paris: La Découverte, 1991.
  2. Interview of Benjamin Stora on TRT in French, YouTube, accessed July 7, 2024.
  3. Stora, Benjamin. Les Mémoires dangereuses: La France face à son passé colonial (Algérie, Maroc, Tunisie). Paris: Presses de Sciences Po, 2004.
  4. Stora, Benjamin. La Guerre d'Algérie expliquée à tous. Paris: Seuil, 2012.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Fall of the Rafale: A Russian Report Unveils Pakistan’s Silent Aerial Supremacy

A recently released Russian report sheds critical light on the underlying causes of the Indian Air Force’s setback in a high-stakes aerial encounter with Pakistan. At the heart of this analysis lies a stark conclusion: Pakistan’s integration of advanced airborne surveillance and missile systems—particularly the Saab 2000 Erieye—enabled it to outmaneuver and ambush Indian Rafale jets without warning, and with surgical precision. Saab 2000 Erieye: The Eye That Sees All At the core of Pakistan’s aerial strategy is the Saab 2000 Erieye, an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft of Swedish origin. Pakistan currently operates a fleet of nine such aircraft, equipped with the Erieye AESA radar—a cutting-edge system with a detection range of up to 450 kilometers, a combat radius of 3,700 kilometers, and an endurance of nearly 9.5 hours. This high-altitude sentinel offers a formidable command-and-control platform, allowing Pakistan to orchestrate engagements from a distance, wit...

U.S.-Algeria Relations: Prospects under a Trump Administration and Strategies to Curb Russian Influence

This article examines the prospects of a Trump administration toward Algeria, focusing on the role of American economic interests and recommendations from influential U.S. think tanks advocating for a strategic rapprochement with Algeria. In a context of heightened geopolitical competition, several American research institutions are encouraging strengthened ties with Algeria to curb Russian influence in North Africa. This article explores the economic, political, and strategic implications of such a potential rapprochement and its impact on U.S. foreign policy. Algeria occupies a strategic position in North Africa, thanks to its abundant natural resources and historical ties with several world powers, including Russia. These relations have sparked the interest of American think tanks, which recommend a more active engagement policy toward Algeria to limit Russian influence in the region. This article examines the implications of these recommendations and analyzes how a Trump administra...

The Defection of Mehdi Hajaoui: A Major Blow to Moroccan Intelligence and Its Global Repercussions

The case of Mehdi Hajaoui , former number two in Morocco's Directorate General for Studies and Documentation ( DGED , the country’s foreign intelligence agency), is shaking the security and diplomatic landscape. According to the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial , Hajaoui fled Morocco to France , where he reportedly faced threats and harassment . He later moved to Spain , only to disappear mysteriously , fearing extradition to Morocco or assassination by Moroccan intelligence operatives. His escape has raised serious concerns about the future of Moroccan intelligence operations and diplomatic relations. Who is Mehdi Hajaoui? Mehdi Hajaoui was a high-ranking intelligence official , serving as the Deputy Director of the DGED under Yassine Mansouri , a close associate of King Mohammed VI. His position gave him access to highly sensitive intelligence , including: Covert Moroccan operations abroad , Secret relations between Rabat and its international allies , particularly Israel, The...