ABSTRACT

This article examines the mass demonstrations that rocked Algiers in December 1960, a major turning point in the Algerian Revolution that precipitated negotiations for independence. The (rather limited) scholarly discussions of these demonstrations centre on the question of whether they were spontaneous or organised. Instead of weighing in on either side of this debate, I use the events of December 1960 as an opportunity to unpack what we understand as ‘spontaneous’ and ‘organised’ collective action. I argue that the demonstrations were spontaneous insofar as they were not planned in advance. They were also organised on the ground through the deliberate and coherent actions of the inhabitants of Algiers. Drawing on interviews conducted with Algerians who participated in the demonstrations, this paper demonstrates that the Algerian ‘masses’ understood much more about the political dynamics of the war than they have been given credit for. They acted autonomously and purposefully to liberate themselves. The paper opens with an examination of demonstrators’ reasons for participating in December 1960, their goals and tactics, and the role of the National Liberation Front (FLN) in these extraordinary mass demonstrations. This discussion of the spontaneous organising of the December 1960 demonstrations leads us to re-examine, in turn, our understanding of the FLN as an organisation.

摘要

本文考察了 1960 年 12 月震撼阿尔及尔的大规模示威活动，这是促成独立谈判的阿尔及利亚革命的一个重要转折点。对这些示威的（相当有限的）学术讨论集中在它们是自发的还是有组织的问题上。我没有参与这场辩论的任何一方，而是利用 1960 年 12 月的事件作为解开我们所理解的“自发的”和“有组织的”集体行动的机会。我认为示威活动是自发的，因为它们不是事先计划好的。他们也是通过阿尔及尔居民的深思熟虑和连贯的行动在当地组织起来。本文通过对参加示威的阿尔及利亚人进行的采访表明，阿尔及利亚“群众”对战争的政治动态的了解比他们所认为的要多得多。他们自主而有目的地采取行动来解放自己。论文开篇考察了示威者参加 1960 年 12 月的原因、他们的目标和策略，以及民族解放阵线 (FLN) 在这些非同寻常的大规模示威中的作用。这种对自发组织 1960 年 12 月示威的讨论使我们反过来重新审视我们对 FLN 作为一个组织的理解。