Abstract
The Arab Spring, the wave of protests that swept over the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, failed to impose democracy there. However, only in Tunisia did the Arab Spring result in a democratic change in 2011. Tunisia has been dealing with several difficulties since the country's democratic transition, including political unrest and terrorist assaults. This study looks at Tunisia's political growth between 2011 and 2022 to determine the chances and challenges for the country to consolidate its democracy. Using a case study approach and Samuel P. Huntington's theory of democratic consolidation, the study has identified two barriers to democratic consolidation: the democratic government's inability to deliver economic reforms and the political elite's unwillingness to work together to find solutions. Since the political elite has used Tunisia's economic woes to gain undemocratically more power, the study also explains the failure of democratic consolidation with the absence of the formation of a democratic political culture in the nation.
TopIntroduction
The Middle East and North Africa are regions where democracy has generally had difficulty gaining a foothold (Cavatorta, 2018, pp. 364–365). While the third wave of Democratization swept Eastern Europe and Latin America, the Middle East and North African countries remained undemocratic. Although some democratic features have been introduced in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa, it has not threatened the authoritarian regimes in the regions (El-Husseini, 2015). Political scientists have long described the Middle East and North Africa as authoritarian and anti-democratic regions, while questions about why the regions have been slow to start their democratization processes have arisen (El-Husseini, 2015). However, something happened in 2011 that surprised most academics specializing in Middle Eastern politics, namely when popular demonstrations demanding democracy and social reforms spread in several Middle Eastern countries and resulted in the resignation of several dictators (Gause, 2011). The protests were named the Arab Spring and gave hope that the region would begin its democratization process (Cavatorta, 2018, pp. 364–365).
Despite the hope for Democratization in the Middle East associated with the Arab Spring, it did not democratize the region. Only in Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began, did the protests lead to the establishment of a liberal democracy, highlighted as particularly successful and unique in the region (Cavatorta, 2018, pp. 364–365). The popular uprising in Tunsis was named the Jasmine Revolution and symbolized democratic change in the Middle East and North Africa (El-Khawas, 2012). Despite the successful transition to democracy, the political situation in Tunisia after the Jasmine Revolution has been characterized by high polarization in the country, outbreaks of terrorist attacks, and political instability. In addition, the inefficient state apparatus and the centralized bureaucracy have hindered the stabilization of democracy (Trisnaningtyas, 2022). Thus, Tunisian democracy has been described by researchers as fragile and threatened by authoritarian tendencies (Günay & Sommavilla, 2019).
Democracy in Tunsisen received a new and serious challenge in July 2021 due to a series of decisions introduced by the President, which he called emergency measures. The President dissolved Parliament and dismissed the prime minister, which plunged the country into a political crisis (Nassif, 2022). Several scholars have likened the President’s introduction of these decisions to a coup d'état, as these decisions were undemocratic and unconstitutional. (Nassif, 2022). The President’s actions in 2021 have negatively affected the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia, and the country has had to drop in ranking as free 71/100 in 2021 to partially free 64/100 in 2022 in the Freedom House democracy survey (Freedom House, 2022). Political developments in Tunisia since 2021 raise questions about the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia after a decade of transition to democracy. Has the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia failed? And if so, why? What are the prospects for democracy and its consolidation in Tunisia? These questions, as well as the difference between the promising development towards democracy in 2011 and the recent political developments in Tunisia, arouse the interest to investigate and analyze the political developments after 2011 to find out and understand what obstacles and opportunities exist to consolidate democracy in Tunisia.
The purpose of the chapter is to study the political development in Tunisia in the period 2011-2022 to investigate and analyze obstacles and opportunities for the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia after the transition to democracy in 2011. To fulfil the purpose of the study, the following questions are asked:
- 1)
What explains the lack of consolidation of democracy in Tunisia?
- 2)
What are the obstacles to the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia?
- 3)
What are the conditions for the consolidation of democracy in Tunisia?
Key Terms in this Chapter
Arab Spring: A series of popular uprisings and demonstrations that swept across several countries in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011. The protests aimed to challenge autocratic rule and demand democratic reforms, resulting in significant political changes in some countries.
Authoritarian Regime: A political system characterized by centralized power, limited political freedoms, and often the suppression of opposition and dissent. Authoritarian regimes typically lack democratic institutions and mechanisms for checks and balances.
Autocratization: The process by which a country that previously showed democratic characteristics or progress experiences a decline in democratic norms, institutions, and practices, resulting in a gradual shift toward authoritarian rule or hybrid regimes.
Hybrid Regime: A political system that displays a mix of democratic and authoritarian features, often characterized by formal democratic structures (such as elections), significant restrictions on political freedoms, and a lack of genuine competition.
Democratization: The process of transitioning a political system from autocratic or authoritarian rule to a more democratic and participatory form of governance, involving the establishment of democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and including citizens in decision-making processes.
Political Elite: A group of influential individuals who hold significant power, often due to their positions in government, political parties, or other influential organizations. The political elite plays a crucial role in shaping policies and determining the direction of a country’s political development.
Democratic Political Culture: The shared attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors within a society that support and promote democratic principles, such as a commitment to the rule of law, tolerance of political differences, and a belief in the legitimacy of democratic institutions.
Jasmine Revolution: Refers to the popular uprising and protests that took place in Tunisia in 2010-2011, leading to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the establishment of a democratic government. It symbolizes the successful democratic transition in Tunisia amid the broader Arab Spring movement.
Consolidation of Democracy: The process of strengthening and stabilizing democratic institutions, practices, and norms within a country. Consolidation ensures that democratic changes become deeply rooted and enduring, resisting challenges to democratic governance.
Constitutional Changes: Revisions or amendments to a country’s Constitution, which outlines the fundamental principles and rules of governance. Constitutional changes can significantly impact the distribution of power, political institutions’ functioning, and individual rights protection.