The future of minorities in the governance process in North Africa

Abstract

Despite the normative assumption that the states of North Africa have populations that are culturally, ethnically and socially homogenous their actual demographic composition does not fit this paradigm. This has become particularly important in the recent past as Amazighté has begun to play a significant role in regional affairs, alongside the growing popular pressure for participatory governance throughout the region. Both these factors raise a series of questions with respect to the actual political model or models that would be involved, should such issues be integrated into the political scene. Firstly, what would the actual political process be based on; to what extent will indigenous participatory models be relevant alongside the hegemonic European paradigm as one of the consequences of the colonial experience? And, secondly, how well will whichever models that are adopted cope with the issue of minority representation and the distinction between national identity and citizenship. This comment is intended to further discussion of these concerns.