Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
VII. International Middle East Symposium: Political and Social Stability in the Middle East (Istanbul Gelisim University), İstanbul, Türkiye, 10 - 11 Mayıs 2022, ss.28
14 January 2022 marked the 11th
anniversary of the ‘Jasmine Revolution’ in Tunisia which triggered widespread
uprisings in the Arab world, commonly known as the Arab Spring. Starting at the
center of Tunisia, Sidi Bouzid, in December 2010, a wave of uprisings spread to
other Arab states in a short time raising expectations for a breaking point in
the ‘Arab exceptionalism’ paradigm with respect to democratization. Unfolding
of widespread protests in the Arab states diverged, some states ending up with
political concessions by the ruling elites, some others with deposed leaders or
civil wars. Overall, the outcomes in the form of increased insecurity,
political polarization, instability, return to authoritarian rule and economic
challenges led to the lowering of expectations, except for the case of Tunisia.
Tunisia is viewed as the only Arab state, which has taken positive steps in its
democratic transition in the aftermath of its regime change holding the promise
of hope. This study seeks to analyze the democratic transition process in post-revolutionary
Tunisia with a particular attention to the challenges and prospects for
democratization in the country. Tunisia was able to hold free and fair
elections for its constituent assembly in 2011, which was then followed by
parliamentary and presidential elections in 2014 and 2019. Political actors
were also able to introduce a new, liberal constitution in 2014 with the strong
and persistent support of the Tunisian civil society. Even though its
transition process has not been smooth, Tunisia has been able to survive most
of the challenges. However, while celebrated as the ‘success story’ of the Arab
Spring, Tunisia has been facing one of its most serious political crises since
the summer of 2021. By late July 2021, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed
the government, suspended the parliament and expanded his powers, and stated
that he was responding to the political impasse and economic problems in the
country. Saied’s move has sparked fears that Tunisia would be losing its
democratic gains. In this regard,
Tunisia is facing a critical test for its young democracy. This bumpy
democratic transition road Tunisia has been travelling since the revolution
constitutes the focus of this study.
Keywords:
Tunisia, Arab Spring, Democratization,
Jasmine Revolution, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)