Maghreb, European neighbour, or Barbary Coast: constructivism in North Africa

For over a decade I co-edited the Journal of Latin American Studies, and more recently I have been reflecting on the rationale for comparative area studies. So, when invited to write an introduction to this issue it was irresistible to stray into what for me is essentially Tierra incognita, and to offer some suggestions about alternative ways of imagining the core characteristics of this challenging large region.