EXECUTIVE SUMMARY achieving full democratisation of the country‟s socio-economic development process. 2.9 Thus, Algeria, which had made considerable progress in building a modern state with solid political and administrative institutions, and had succeeded in distributing the economic and social dividends of its war of liberation among its people, found itself facing problems that it thought had been put behind it. 2.10 Finally, in light of these facts, the authorities reviewed the situation. Political and socio-economic reform policies were designed and implemented to address the demands of the people and also to resolve the political, economic and social problems that lay at the heart of the social and political upheavals. At the same time, however, the authorities sought to keep the situation in hand, aware of the dangers attendant on hastily pushing for reforms. They therefore sought to maintain a balance between pressures for reforms from certain quarters and resistance to reforms from others. 2.3 Looking towards the future 2.11 The Algerian authorities need to implement a policy that will: (i) consolidate civil peace, security and the stability of institutions as an essential condition for building democracy, improving the management of public affairs and strengthening the rule of law; (ii) revive the development process, basing it on relevant economic reforms and on active partnership between the state (whose role it is to create an enabling political and legal environment), the private sector (the principal creator of national wealth and employment) and civil society (which forges synergies between the political and social spheres to ensure that the entire nation enjoys the appropriate dividends); (iii) improve the social situation with viable financial conditions, by intensifying reform in the social sectors and creating suitable conditions for sustained and sustainable growth that will stimulate job creation and ensure that the Algerian people enjoy the benefits thereof. 2.12 Although it is true that remarkable progress has been made in these areas, much still needs to be done to guarantee full enjoyment of civil liberties for citizens, citizen participation, grassroots democracy, a balance between the authorities and the separation of powers, a greater media, and a more effective administration and anticorruption campaign. These are formidable challenges that deserve careful attention. In short, Algeria‟s past and more recent history is one of building a nation in the context of ongoing struggle to affirm its identity and uphold its dignity and sovereignty. Through its pride in its secular Amazighité, in being part of the Arab civilisation, in its Africanness and its attachment to the spiritual values of Islam, Algeria claims to have dealt with the challenges of globalisation in the spirit of tolerance, openness and exchange that is dictated by its long history. 2.13 It was with the help of this precious capital, from where it drew its spiritual strength and moral energy in times of adversity, that the Algerian nation was 6