Well‐oiled regimes: oil & uncertain transitions in Algeria & Nigeria

Abstract

Oil has had a profound impact on countries engaged in transitions to democracy, often undermining the commitment of both local and external actors to democratization. Two African countries, Algeria and Nigeria, demonstrate how oil distorts the domestic regime structure and conditions the nature of international linkages. Key actors in the international arena ‐notably, former colonial powers, international financial institutions and transnational corporations — are inclined to support undemocratic, military regimes that supply oil, while simultaneously offering only rhetorical support for ongoing transitions. Paradoxically, despite the critical role played by international actors in sustaining undemocratic regimes, and their compromising effect on domestic affairs, the international norm of sovereignty is deployed to rationalise non‐intervention in domestic political affairs of the country.