Transcript here - Greater Lawrence Kiwanis Club

Islamic Republic
of Iran
636,372 square miles
Second largest country in
The Middle East and 18th
In the world
One of the world’s most
mountainous countries
Various climate zones
Seven immediate neighbors
Proximity to eleven others
Easternmost extension of the
Fifteen Middle East North African
countries
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78,400,000 people; seventeenth largest in the world
28% under 15 years of age; 46% under 25; 6% older than 54; median is 27.3
Iran has one of the highest urban growth rates in the world. From 1950 to 2002, the urban
proportion of the population increased from 27% to 60%. The United Nations predicts that by
2030, 80% of the population will be urban
Tehran, with a population of 7,705,036, is the largest city in Iran and is the capital. Tehran, like
many big cities, suffers from severe air pollution.
Life expectancy at birth is 76 years
Contraceptive prevalence rate is 61%
Distinct culture as a blend of Arab, Imazighen (Berber), Sub-Saharan African with European
influences
Algerian Arabic and Berber are the native languages of over 99% of Algerians, with Algerian
Arabic spoken by about 72% and Berber by 27%. French, although unofficial, is also widely
spoken
Amazighs are the indigenous people and the bulk of the population, although they have been
largely Arabized
Education is free and officially compulsory for Algerians up to age 16, but actual enrollment
falls far short of 100 percent; literacy rate is 69%
Predominanat religion is Islam
Algeria is regarded as one of the most culturally advanced countries of the African continent.
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France invaded in 1830, ransacked Algiers, beginning an occupation that exceeded 130 years
France encourage settlement by granting free land to immigrants during the 1840’s and 1850’s
Wealthy French founded great estates or urban enterprises
Opposition led to rebellion led by Abd al-Qadir; squashed
French divided Algeria into areas of self-administration for the settlers, leading to declaration that Algeria
became an integral part of France in 1848
Thousands of settlers from France, Italy, Spain, and Malta moved in to the Algerian coastal
plain and settled there permanently
Arab Algerians (Muslims) lost power in the mixed areas and with heavy taxation and a drought in 1866;
revolted in 1871; the violence and famine may have cost the lives of almost 20%
Many who served in France during WWI returned with demands for equality and liberty
French created an Algerian Assembly in 1947, but still quelled attempts for independence
The major party, F.L.N., launched attacks against French military targets
Over the next fives years violence, death, torture and ritualistic murder became commonplace
De Gaulle tried to appease by proposing a new constitution but oppostion on both sides scuttled it
Independence was finalized in the Evian Accords of 1962; led to “accelerated decolonization.”
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Designed with a desire for stability plus encouragement of rapid economic growth
The military, in practice, remain major powerbrokers along with "a select group" of unelected civilians
Political climate is dynamic and often in a state of transformation
Politics of Algeria takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the president is head of state
while the prime minister is the head of government
Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the
two chambers of parliament, the People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation
Parliament is elected
Many political parties have been formed as allowed by the constitution of 1976
The largest political party, FLN, is a continuation of the main revolutionary body that directed the war for
independence
After the violent riots in 1988, a new constitution was adopted in 1989 that allowed the formation of political
associations other than the FLN. It also removed the military from a role in the operation of the government.
In 1996 a referendum introduced changes to the constitution, enhancing presidential powers and banning
Islamist parties. Presidential elections were held in April 1999; Bouteflika received 70% of vote
Following his election to a five-year term, Bouteflika concentrated on restoring security and stability to the
strife-ridden country; campaigned for and got amnesty for the F.I.S..
Social tensions persist mainly centered on charges of political corruption
Bouteflika won a third term easily in April, 2014, after a constitutional prohibition was waived
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Political rights and civil liberties scores:
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Political rights 12 of 40
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Electroal process 4 of 12
Political pluralism and participation 4 of 16
Functioning of government 3 of 12
Civil Liberties 23 of 60
Freedom of expression and belief 6 of 16
Associational and organizational rights 5 of 16
Rule of law 5 of 16
Personal autonomy and individual rights 7 of 16
Overall ranking at 146 of 173 countries; fourteenth of the fifteen countries in the middle eastnorth africa croup; considered “not free” by freedom house
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An expansionary fiscal policy initiated in 2011 to meet strong social demands in terms of purchasing
power, jobs and housing.
The oil and gas sector is the country’s main source of revenues, having generated about 70% of total
budget receipts.
The economy is projected to grow by 3.2% in 2013 and by 4.0% in 2014.
Fifth largest reserves of natural gas in the world
Profits from petroleum and gas products represent about 25% of GDP and those exports 97% of all
GDP averages $7,500 per capita, eighth among the fifteen countries in ME-NA
The unemployment rate stands at 10%
The 2013 attack on the natural gas facility has hindered net foreign investment in Algeria
Needed is a strong strategy for sustained growth, especially to benefit the younger population
Diversification away from a petroleum based economy is essential
● Scores for key categories (each out of a possible 100):
● Rule of Law
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Property rights 30
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Freedom from Corruption 29
Limited Government
Government Spending 51
Fiscal Freedom 80
Regulatory Efficiency
Business Freedom 66
Labor Freedom 48
Monetary Freedom 68
Open Markets
Trade Freedom 61
Investment Freedom 45
Financial Freedom 30
Overall score of 50.8 marking Algeria as fourteenth of the fifteen Middle East-North Africa group and 146 in
the world and is considered economically “mostly unfree.”
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Fought a brief war with Morocco over disputed territory in 1963
Signed a treaty with Morocco in 1969 confirming the boundaries as they were, and are
This remains a sticky situation still
Major dispute with Morocco over her occupation of Western Sahara; Algeria sides with the
Polisario there as they claim independence
Generally peaceful relations with Algeria’s several neighbors
Militants from Mali attacked the natural gas facility in 2013
Cordial relations with the United States, perhaps because of the petroleum situation
Still close, even official relations with France
Always a target for possible terrorism
nine percent, though almost fifteen percent of Moroccans
● What effect do you think the Islamic state (Isis) will have on Algeria?
● Why would you invest or not invest in Algeria assuming you have sufficient funds to do
so?
● What would you do to advance the welfare of the people within the country??
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Djemila