APC3703
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique #:578593
Due Date: 4 April 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, Critically Evaluating the ‘Revolutionary Situation’ That Led to the Peaceful
Ouster of Bouteflika
Introduction
The resignation of Algeria‘s long-time president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in 2019
marked a significant political turning point in the country‘s modern history. Unlike
the violent uprisings of the Arab Spring in 2011, Algeria‘s Hirak movement was a
peaceful yet powerful revolutionary force that ultimately led to Bouteflika‘s
removal. This movement emerged in response to deep-seated socio-political and
economic grievances that had been simmering for decades. As Serres (2022)
articulates, the concept of a ‗revolutionary situation‘ provides a useful analytical
framework to understand the dynamics of this transition. This essay critically
evaluates the ‗revolutionary situation‘ that led to Bouteflika‘s peaceful ouster by
examining the political, economic, and social factors that contributed to the Hirak
movement. It also explores the role of state repression, the influence of historical
memory, and the broader regional context in shaping the uprising. By engaging
with Serres‘ (2022) perspective, this paper highlights the structural conditions that
made this political transition possible and discusses whether the movement can
be classified as a true revolution.
Understanding the Concept of a Revolutionary Situation
The concept of a "revolutionary situation" has been a subject of extensive debate
among scholars of political science, sociology, and history. At its core, a
revolutionary situation refers to a moment in time when the existing political order
faces a profound crisis, making the possibility of radical change more likely
(Serres, 2022). However, not all revolutionary situations lead to successful
revolutions, as factors such as state repression, elite control, and international
influences can shape the outcome.
Classical theorists such as Lenin (1917) argue that a revolutionary situation
arises when ―the lower classes do not want to live in the old way, and the upper
classes cannot carry on in the old way.‖ This perspective emphasizes the dual
crisis of both state legitimacy and popular dissatisfaction. Building upon this,
Charles Tilly (1978) provides a structuralist perspective, arguing that revolutionary
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique #:578593
Due Date: 4 April 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, Critically Evaluating the ‘Revolutionary Situation’ That Led to the Peaceful
Ouster of Bouteflika
Introduction
The resignation of Algeria‘s long-time president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in 2019
marked a significant political turning point in the country‘s modern history. Unlike
the violent uprisings of the Arab Spring in 2011, Algeria‘s Hirak movement was a
peaceful yet powerful revolutionary force that ultimately led to Bouteflika‘s
removal. This movement emerged in response to deep-seated socio-political and
economic grievances that had been simmering for decades. As Serres (2022)
articulates, the concept of a ‗revolutionary situation‘ provides a useful analytical
framework to understand the dynamics of this transition. This essay critically
evaluates the ‗revolutionary situation‘ that led to Bouteflika‘s peaceful ouster by
examining the political, economic, and social factors that contributed to the Hirak
movement. It also explores the role of state repression, the influence of historical
memory, and the broader regional context in shaping the uprising. By engaging
with Serres‘ (2022) perspective, this paper highlights the structural conditions that
made this political transition possible and discusses whether the movement can
be classified as a true revolution.
Understanding the Concept of a Revolutionary Situation
The concept of a "revolutionary situation" has been a subject of extensive debate
among scholars of political science, sociology, and history. At its core, a
revolutionary situation refers to a moment in time when the existing political order
faces a profound crisis, making the possibility of radical change more likely
(Serres, 2022). However, not all revolutionary situations lead to successful
revolutions, as factors such as state repression, elite control, and international
influences can shape the outcome.
Classical theorists such as Lenin (1917) argue that a revolutionary situation
arises when ―the lower classes do not want to live in the old way, and the upper
classes cannot carry on in the old way.‖ This perspective emphasizes the dual
crisis of both state legitimacy and popular dissatisfaction. Building upon this,
Charles Tilly (1978) provides a structuralist perspective, arguing that revolutionary
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
