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Agents of Change: The role of Tunisian Civil Society in transition from authoritarianism to democratization.
Abstract
This paper will present findings from my PhD thesis and fieldwork in Tunisia (2013-2014) with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), demonstrating that Tunisian civil society has played effective role during the political transition. Drawing on Transitiology literature (O’Donnell and Schmitter) and democratic consolidation (Diamond and Linz & Stepan) this paper addresses how both Liberal Associative (DeTocqueville and Putnam) and Oppositional Resistance (Gramsci) conceptualisations of civil society have been and continue to be active in Tunisia in the from Watchdog and corruption fighting organisations to citizenship and social groups. This paper identifies the advantages of state and civil society working together regarding the formulation of policy and how increasing the strength of civil society does not simultaneously weaken state power; rather the two exist to mutually benefit the other (Carothers, 1999). The role civil society is playing in developing belief in democratic system as a co-operative, rather than confrontational, relationship with the government is beneficial to democratic consolidation is also addressed. Berman (1997), Diamond (1999), and Carothers (1999) identify that civil society is not always ‘good’ and it naive to assume they only partake in noble causes and elements of corruption and anti-democratic currents are present in Tunisia. The consolidation of civic political culture (Almond and Verba) and civil society completes the stabilization of the socio-political substructure of democracy (Merkel, 2007) but until then Tunisia is still at risk of returning to authoritarianism. Under dictatorship, Tunisian Civil Society had a role that was constrained by an oppressive state whereas in the period of transition, the CSOs face new constraints such as lack of expertise and dependence on foreign funding. I hypothesize that Civil Society can continue to support the democratic transition by continuing its various roles but adapting, in order to remain relevant, for organisations to survive and to facing the numerous challenges, will be necessary. This conference paper will use interviews conducted in Tunisia in 2013-2014.
Discipline
Political Science
Geographic Area
Tunisia
Sub Area
Democratization