What makes democracy possible? Transitions in Egypt and Tunisia after the Arab Uprisings

Year 2022, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 167 - 206, 06.01.2023

Osman Sahin

https://doi.org/10.26513/tocd.969305

Abstract

This article studies Egyptian and Tunisian transitions by investigating the effect of two factors, namely electoral system choice and the presence of competitive opposition
parties. It suggests that, between 2011 and 2015, the electoral system choice and the presence of competitive political parties contributed to the transition to democracy in
Tunisia while the same two factors were causes of the failed transition in Egypt. It concludes by arguing that during transitional phases, electoral system choice and
presence of competitive political parties help institutionalization of normal, limited political uncertainty in a polity. Accordingly, these two factors compel cooperation and
negotiation between different political actors, which in turn help democracy survive transitions. 

Keywords

democratization, electoral system, Egypt, political parties, Tunisia

Supporting Institution

None

What makes democracy possible? Transitions in Egypt and Tunisia after the Arab Uprisings

Abstract

This article studies Egyptian and Tunisian transitions by investigating the effect of two factors; namely electoral system choice and the presence of competitive opposition parties. It suggests that electoral system choice and the presence of competitive political parties contributed to the transition to democracy in Tunisia while the same two factors were causes of the failed transition in Egypt. It concludes by arguing that during transitional phases, electoral system choice and presence of competitive political parties help institutionalization of normal, limited political uncertainty in a polity. Accordingly, these two factors compel cooperation and negotiation between different political actors, which in turn help democracy to survive transitions.

Keywords

democratization, Egypt, Tunisia, electoral system, political parties

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