In this article, Algeria’s de-industrialization is examined from the perspective of property rights. Often in the background of any reflection, this issue is usually addressed in a superficial manner, if not completely ignored. However, it seems to be a particularly relevant thread to link recurrent problems raised by the industrial question, which is not usually analyzed in such a way. It is addressed here from a historical perspective that reveals its complexity and ideas are put forward for the construction of an analytical framework.