France's Influence on Its Former Colonies: A Case Study of Morocco and Algeria

This diploma thesis examines the topic of France's influence on its former colonies. Using the example of Algeria and Morocco, analyzes what influence France has on its former colonies at the present time, whether the influence persists, and whether this relationship can be characterized as a form of neocolonialism. Using the analysis of the relationship of the two selected countries with France, and the subsequent analysis of cooperation in four selected areas, the work examines and compares whether the possible influence of the former colonizer on the selected countries is the same, or whether it is different (eventually what are the reasons for the asymmetry of the ongoing relations in favor of one of the countries). The work is based on the theories of realism, which considers power to be the core of international relations, and in this case it is not hard power, but rather soft power. Other main important theories are colonialism and neocolonialism, as the countries were long time under French colonial rule, as well as orientalism or dependency theory, which also deals with the topic of influence. Based on the analysis of relations in the fields of foreign policy, economic cooperation and security cooperation, the influence of France on the two former colonies is compared in the theoretical..