Determinants of the Age at First Marriage among the University Teachers in Algeria: A Mix Methodology Approach (Published)
This study examines the determinants of age at first marriage among the university teachers in Algeria. A Weibull proportional hazard and multivariate logistic regressions models were used on data set from a survey covering a sample of 682 teachers. The findings revealed that: The median ages at first marriage are: 36 and 39.4 years for men and women, respectively, with a gap of 3.1 and 8 years from the general population. For: birth order, teacher specialty, study place and working before joining the academic staff all together explain a very small percent of variation of the age at marriage; in contrast, Housing, salaries’ level and a suitable partner were the hidden factors determining the age at marriage. As policy implications, policy-makers have to focus on these factors in order to help teachers to satisfy this biological and sociological need.
Keywords: Age at Marriage, Algeria, Socio-Economic Factors, University Teacher
The United Nations Leadership Role in Solving the Western Sahara Conflict: Progress, or Delays for Peace (Published)
This essay evaluates the United Nations’ (UN) involvement and efforts in Western Sahara, and assesses its perceived effectiveness in settling this conflict in the post-Cold War international order. The dispute in Western Sahara is the most protracted conflict in the history of the UN. Its settlement would provide a crucial platform for the progress of other unresolved conflicts under UN auspices. As a mediator and an intervening party, the UN has played a major role in the dispute, especially since the establishment of the UN Mission for Western Sahara, MINURSO. After outlining the history of the Western Sahara conflict, this paper elucidates the stages the UN has managed therein, and clarifies the reasons and motives behind the deadlock in the Sahara. The UN’s efforts are evaluated, and the negotiating perspectives of the concerned parties in the conflict and role of Algeria, which considers itself not formally part of the conflict despite its role in preserving the current impasse, analysed.
Keywords: Algeria, Morocco, United Nations, Western Sahara, resolution
On Colonial Nostalgia Case Study: Algeria (Published)
The colonization of Algeria lasted for one hundred thirty-two years. The war that broke up on November 1, 1954, cost much blood, 1.5 million people killed. At this juncture, the colonized regarded Western colonialism, in general, French one, in particular as a system with undeniable damaging effects. In these recent years, however, there has been much talk in progress, both in the settler country and in the formerly colonized. This talk is about a presumed positive role. In other words, a new political discourse and a new literature aiming at justifying and sanctifying the role and the impact of colonialism is coming to the fore. The colonists, having never given up yearning for Paradise Lost, are seeing to rehabilitate what they consider a distorted image of colonialism. Their main argument is grounded in the fact that it had unquestionably been beneficial not only to them but also to the natives. In short, the argument lies in that the civilizing mission proved a success. Likewise, in Algeria, a population, mainly young, born after independence, and which can only guess the far reaching consequences of such a system, is led to think that its embrace would have enabled it not to miss the rendez-vous with modernity. To put it simply, the widespread idea among these youth lies in that having driven the colonists out of the country has affected the country in all domains. This article looks at this colonial nostalgia with Algeria as a case study. This has been done by examining the writings of pros and cons concerning this nostalgia.
Keywords: Algeria, Colonialism, Nostalgia
