(Re) interpreting intĂ©gration : a study of colonial reform during the Algerian War (1954-62)
This thesis examines the writing of individuals whose stance during the Algerian war of 1954-62 might broadly be defined as favourable to a process of colonial reform. Focusing above all on the integration programme championed by Jacques Soustelle, the present study will seek to challenge colonial reformers for their over-generous reading of France's colonial past; overturn their claim that they had the consent of the Muslim population for their proposals; critique their reading of the European population as willing to embrace change; criticise them for replicating many of the Eurocentric notions of progress and development associated with the old colonial policy of assimilation; and finally, show how in their search for explanations for the failure of reform, they failed to appreciate that the dynamics of the colonial system prevented its reform. Whilst the proposals of reformers were, for the most part, guided by a genuine, if misguided, good will, the thesis will also identify certain areas where the attitudes they displayed, and the measures they proposed, fell short of the liberal principles which they claimed to uphold. In constructing a critique of the colonial reformers' position, the study draws upon
Blunt, Craig Simon
DT Africa
(Re) interpreting intĂ©gration : a study of colonial reform during the Algerian War (1954-62). This thesis examines the writing of individuals whose stance during the Algerian war of 1954-62 might broadly be defined as favourable to a process of colonial reform. Focusing above all on the integration programme championed by Jacques Soustelle, the present study will seek to challenge colonial reformers for their over-generous reading of France's colonial past; overturn their claim that they had the consent of the Muslim population for their proposals; critique their reading of the European population as willing to embrace change; criticise them for replicating many of the Eurocentric notions of progress and development associated with the old colonial policy of assimilation; and finally, show how in their search for explanations for the failure of reform, they failed to appreciate that the dynamics of the colonial system prevented its reform. Whilst the proposals of reformers were, for the most part, guided by a genuine, if misguided, good will, the thesis will also identify certain areas where the attitudes they displayed, and the measures they proposed, fell short of the liberal principles which they claimed to uphold. In constructing a critique of the colonial reformers' position, the study draws upon
interpret study colonial reform algerian_war examines write individual_whose stance algerian_war might broadly_define favourable process colonial reform focusing integration programme champion present_study seek_challenge colonial reformer over reading france colonial past overturn claim consent muslim population proposal critique read european population willing embrace change criticise replicate many eurocentric notion progress development associate old colonial_policy assimilation finally show search explanation failure reform fail_appreciate dynamic colonial system prevent reform whilst proposal reformer part guide genuine misguide good also_identify certain_area attitude display measure propose fell short liberal principle claim uphold construct critique colonial reformer position study_draw upon