THE ARAB SPRING IN TUNISIA: A LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION?

Abstract

The Arab Uprising has risen to the academic arena recently in several aspects. What is happening in that territory calls attention to the structure of the uprising. Tunisia, the first cycle in the Arab Spring, witnesses a short but bloody transition. This transition, which is called the Jasmine Revolution, comes to an end with the surrender of power by the incumbent regime to the opposition without any compromise. These events begin with an economic reasoning but then continue with liberal-democratic demands. In this study, we will first cover Tunisia's political background in search of its democratic heritage. We will then consider such democratic institutions before and during the transitions as elections, freedom of expression, freedom of association and other issues regarding human rights. Finally we will discuss the possibility of democratic consolidation in Tunisia. Key words: Arab Uprising, Tunisia, Jasmine Revolution, democratic transition, liberal-democracy

Keywords

• Arab Uprising, Tunisia, Jasmine Revolution, democratic transition, liberal-democracy

TUNUS'TA ARAP BAHARI: LİBERAL DEMOKRATİK BİR GEÇİŞ

Abstract

Arap Uyanışı, son zamanlarda akademik çalışmalara pek çok açıdan konu olmaktadır. Bölgede yaşananlar dikkati, uyanışın yapısına çekmektedir. Arap Baharı'nın ilk halkasını oluşturan Tunus, kısa ancak kanlı bir geçişe sahne olmuştur. Yasemin Devrimi adı verilen bu geçiş, yerleşik iktidarın muhalefete geçişi ile sona ermiştir. Bu olaylar, ekonomik sebeplerle patlak verse de, demokrasi ve insan hakları taleplerini beraberinde getirmiştir. Bu çalışmada, öncelikle demokratik mirasın varlığına ilişkin bilgi edinmek için, Tunus'un siyasi arka planı incelenecek; ardından seçimler, ifade özgürlüğü, örgütlenme özgürlüğü ve diğer insan hakları ile ilgili demokratik kurumlar değerlendirilecektir. Son olarak, tüm gelişmelerin ardından Tunus'ta demokratik konsolidasyonun mümkün olup olmadığı tartışılacaktır. Anahtar kelimeler: Arap Uyanışı, Tunus, Yasemin Devrimi, demokratik geçiş, liberal demokrasi

Keywords

• Arap Uyanışı, Tunus, Yasemin Devrimi, demokratik geçiş, liberal demokrasi

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