Originally Posted by
HoreTore
Algeria's rise as an independent state was a part of a liberation wave that swept most the arab world in the 50's and 60's. It.s politial makeup was quite unique to the region. We had the Baath party, Nasserism, etc, and they all shared three main components. Firstly nationalism, in that they sought to create independent states, or in the case of pan-arabism, independent unions/blocs. Secondly, the anti-oppression aspect of socialism, as well as some form of protection to the poor. It's important to note that they were not at all marxist, Nasser sought "positive neutrality" in the cold war Thirdly, a positive stance towards religion, in that they did not seek to abolish it like the commies.
Labelling the ideologies that emerged in the arab world after the war simply "islamist" is a gross oversimplification, and quite simply wrong as well. Oh well, I'm sure that there are those who would happily call the Baath party, founded by a greek orthodox, islamist as well...