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Tunisian Civil Society Legislative Advocacy
Abstract
The literature on civil society advocacy has been multiplying (Berry2001; Dalrymple2004; Ezell2006; Hudson 2002; Leroux and Goerdel2009; Boris and Steurle 2006; Schmidet al. 2008). However, most of the research on civil society advocacy has focused on Western democracies (Guo and Zhang 2014). In the case of Tunisia, the limited research on Civil Society Institutions (CSIs) has focused on the role CSIs played in the process of political change (moving from an authoritarian regime to a democracy), but not on the role of CSIs in the policy making process taking place within the parliament. During Tunisia’s democratic transition, Civil Society Institutions, such as unions, human rights organizations, and other nonprofit organizations, played an essential role in a successful and smooth transition to democracy. However, during legislative deliberations, it was clear that legislators wanted a bigger role for CSIs in the policy making process. Previous research shows that Tunisian legislators are willing to be lobbied and they trust CSIs, yet CSIs are reluctant to play an active role in legislative advocacy. This project examines factors affecting CSIs legislative advocacy efforts in Tunisia. Based on eight in-depth qualitative interviews with CSI leaders engaged in legislative advocacy and eighty-three in person surveys conducted with representatives of civil society institutions, this project examines the impact of factors such as CSIs’ financial resources, access to legislators, perceptions of legislators’ interest in advocacy, and laws governing CSIs hinder or encourage CSIs legislative advocacy efforts.
Discipline
Political Science
Geographic Area
Tunisia
Sub Area
Democratization