Rhetoric of Revolution - Discussion Post


Hi delegates!

There are just two more weeks until BMUN 71, and I am super excited to meet you all!

As I was doing more background research on the topic, I came across this article, The Algerian Revolution Changed the World for the Better, from the leftist political magazine Jacobin. The article has a lot of great information about peoples' sentiments during various points before, during, and after the war. It generally characterizes the initial war strategy as placing action over thought out rhetoric and ideology. Said ideology was really only given form, the article argues, by Franz Fanon later into the decade. 

In addition to generally outlining the transformation of rhetoric about the war, the article also explains how the rhetoric differed depending on population. Particularly, and most obviously, the native Algerian population talked about the war much differently than the French--either those within France or those in Algeria. 

After you read the article, I highly encourage you to respond the question below that most interests you! Or, if you have different thoughts or questions than those posed, feel free to post them as well. I look forward to hearing your reactions in the comments!

1. How does the article generally characterize the Algerian people? Is there unity in their ideology and rhetoric?

2. The article distinguishes between 'at home' action and action 'abroad' -- what did this look like, and how did these strategies differ? Were they different in any way?

3. Do you think Jacobin's position as an explicitly leftist political magazine influenced the telling of the Algerian War story? If so, how?

-- Riley (they/them)

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