Democratization in Tunisia and Elite Theory

Mercan M. H., Kilavuz M. T.

ULUSLARARASI ILISKILER-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, vol.14, no.55, pp.75-92, 2017 (SSCI, Scopus, TRDizin) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 55
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.33458/uidergisi.513515
  • Journal Name: ULUSLARARASI ILISKILER-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.75-92
  • Keywords: Tunisia, Elite Theory, Hardliner and Softliner Elites, the Arab Uprisings, Democratization and Transition Process, DEMOCRACY, TRANSITIONS
  • Marmara University Affiliated: No

Abstract

This study focuses on democratization process in Tunisia since January 14th, 2011, the date President Zine el Abidine BenAli left the country. The article examines democratization and normalization process of Tunisia as a starting point of the Arab Uprisings through the conceptual framework of elite choice theory. The theory postulates that if softliner regime and opposition elites cooperate, democratization process succeeds. Based upon this assumption, this paper seeks to answer how it was possible for Tunisia to follow a more successful transition path when compared to the other countries in the region through the steps and policies implemented by the representatives of the leading softliner actors in the Tunisian regime and opposition.