Includes bibliographical references (p. 156-163) and index.

Understanding political democratisation at the beginning of the XXI century -- Algeria and the 'third wave' of democratic transitions -- Islam and the 'west' : a clash of ideologies in Algeria -- New political actors for a new international order -- Political ideas and practices in historical perspective -- Genealogies of state power : colonial experiences post colonial dilemmas -- Historical perspectives on Islamic fundamentalist ideology : a pragmatic account -- The Algerian political opening : democratic symbols and authoritarian practices (1988-1991) -- The 1988 October riots : the symbol of a new era -- The Algerian democratic opening : successes and failures -- The 1992 coup d'âetat and beyond : war as politics through other means (1992-1994) -- The 1992 coup d'état -- The military in control : The repressive option -- The Islamic movement : from political opposition to 'holy' war -- A new authoritarianism : guided democracy versus radical Islam (1995-2000) -- The re-composition of the political field -- Electoral marketing : formal representation and informal authoritarianism -- On the margins of politics : the military and the Islamic guerrillas -- A civil society in transition : survivalist strategies and social protest -- Coping with violence and deprivation : survivalist strategies -- The articulation of social protest : defying the regime -- The international arena : strengths and weaknesses of the new world order -- The political economy of the conflict : the role of international actors -- Algeria as the future of democratisation in the Muslim world -- Exporting the jihad : the internationalisation of radical Islamic actors -- Learning and unlearning to be democratic.