African Comparative Law Quarterly | 07 April 2000
Constitutional Review Processes and Democratic Consolidation in Algeria
A, h, m, e, d, B, e, l, b, a, c, h, a, ,, S, m, a, i, l, C, h, a, k, e, r
Abstract
Algeria has undergone several constitutional review processes since gaining independence from France in , with varying degrees of success in consolidating democratic governance. The research employs a comparative legal analysis approach, drawing from both primary sources such as constitutional texts and secondary sources including scholarly articles and government reports. Data is collected through a systematic examination of recent amendments in Algeria alongside similar processes observed in other countries with comparable democratic trajectories. Recent constitutional review processes in Algeria have shown significant variation in terms of the proportion of proposed changes implemented, ranging from minor adjustments to substantial overhauls, reflecting diverse political and social contexts. A notable theme has been the influence of external actors on the drafting and adoption of new constitutions. This study concludes that while constitutional review mechanisms have played a crucial role in Algeria's democratic development, their effectiveness is contingent upon factors such as political will, public engagement, and international support. For future research, scholars should consider exploring the long-term impacts of these processes on socio-political dynamics and developing more robust indicators to measure democratic consolidation. Policymakers could benefit from adopting lessons learned in other countries' constitutional review experiences to enhance their own legislative processes. constitutional review, democratic consolidation, Algeria, comparative law