In mapping and analyzing the trade union movement, its networks and development in Algeria as well as problematizing its functioning and contribution to social change through normatively expressed democracy building, Karim Maïche concentrates in his thesis on the most conspicuous oppositional unions and their created confederations over the last 30 years, since their official establishment amid 1989 constitutional reform. Secondly, the thesis contemplates how the state authorities manage peaceful societal protest and the challenge presented by these oppositional unions. Thirdly, it explores how the citizenship demanded by these autonomous union activists are negotiated through nonviolent acts of citizenship in the public space.
The empirical material of this thesis comprises ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation, interviews and media analysis. Through partial knowledge, it is possible to understand social phenomena such as trade unionism and political activism. While autonomous trade unions are observed as social actors within the societal level, this study approaches individual activists through the theoretical framework of acts of citizenship. It enables us to understand citizenship as transformation through acts instead of perceiving citizenship as an institutional status.
"I analyze interviews and other existing research material, such as media articles and other available literature, through discourse analyses, concentrating on the historical and contemporary construction of antagonistic discourses", Maïche says.
"Various identities and hegemonic discourses are shaped within nodal points, forming understanding and representations of the world, as well as dislocated discourses within ruptures and the emergence of split subjects".
Political engagement involves activists around the country, from cities and villages. They depict and stress their political participation via social grievances especially related to work, working conditions and contracts of employment. Autonomous trade unions bring together members from varied backgrounds, breaking certain stereotypes related to religion, political ideology and gender associated with Muslim-majority countries.
The doctoral dissertation of M. Soc. Sc. Karim Maïche in the field of peace research titled Autonomous Trade Unions in Algeria: An Expression of Nonviolent Acts of Citizenship will be publicly examined in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University on Friday 17 April 2020 at 12.00 o’clock. The Opponent will be Professor Rachid Tlemçani from Université d’Alger 3, Algeria. The Custos will be Professor Emeritus Tuomo Melasuo from Tampere University.
Due to the coronavirus situation, the doctoral defence is organized via a digital platform at Tampere University. (In case of serious technical problems within the Teams-meeting, the defense will continue in the Zoom, Meeting ID: 647 9846 7881)
The dissertation is available online at
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-03-1525-2
Photo: Hannu Jukola