Arab Spring
The Tunisian Arab Spring
The attempts to transition to democracy
On December 17, 2010 Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, self immolated himself in protest and desperation to the severe oppression and humiliation he had been subjected to for years. 90% of Bouazizi’s body was severely burnt and two weeks later Bouazizi passed away in a local hospital (Gardner, 2011). Bouazizi’s protest not only sparked an upset but was also was the product of chaos, havoc, and turmoil in Tunisia. Leading too widespread protests and eventually to the Tunisian revolution and furthermore to the Arab spring; a pro-democracy rebellion that is moving across the Middle East and North Africa (Hanif, 2011). This paper will examine before the spark of the Arab Spring and the prospects of advancement to democracy. It will look at where Tunisia is in the present day, and the aftermath of riots, demonstrations, and protests in order to achieve democracy.
Mohamed Bouazizi was raised in an area where bureaucrats had high power and insignificant feelings concerning the rights and freedoms of civilians. At just ten years old Bouazizi became the breadwinner of his family, consisting of seven others. At nineteen years old he removed himself out of school. This was in efforts to raise enough money for his five siblings to be capable to continue through school. Local police terrorized Bouazizi publically nearly everyday. Usually resulting in stolen merchandise, fines, and physical harm (Ryan, 2011). Following the self-immolation there was a massive wave of riots, demonstrations, and protests. Many saw Mohamed Bouazizi as a hero and inspiration to the country for. Larbi Sadiki, a writer and professor at the University of Exeter, wrote an article The Bouazizi ‘Big Bang’. Within the article Sadiki states “Mohamed Bouazizi is considered to be the spark to the Arab Spring.” Furthermore Sadiki goes on to voice “The
The attempts to transition to democracy
On December 17, 2010 Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, self immolated himself in protest and desperation to the severe oppression and humiliation he had been subjected to for years. 90% of Bouazizi’s body was severely burnt and two weeks later Bouazizi passed away in a local hospital (Gardner, 2011). Bouazizi’s protest not only sparked an upset but was also was the product of chaos, havoc, and turmoil in Tunisia. Leading too widespread protests and eventually to the Tunisian revolution and furthermore to the Arab spring; a pro-democracy rebellion that is moving across the Middle East and North Africa (Hanif, 2011). This paper will examine before the spark of the Arab Spring and the prospects of advancement to democracy. It will look at where Tunisia is in the present day, and the aftermath of riots, demonstrations, and protests in order to achieve democracy.
Mohamed Bouazizi was raised in an area where bureaucrats had high power and insignificant feelings concerning the rights and freedoms of civilians. At just ten years old Bouazizi became the breadwinner of his family, consisting of seven others. At nineteen years old he removed himself out of school. This was in efforts to raise enough money for his five siblings to be capable to continue through school. Local police terrorized Bouazizi publically nearly everyday. Usually resulting in stolen merchandise, fines, and physical harm (Ryan, 2011). Following the self-immolation there was a massive wave of riots, demonstrations, and protests. Many saw Mohamed Bouazizi as a hero and inspiration to the country for. Larbi Sadiki, a writer and professor at the University of Exeter, wrote an article The Bouazizi ‘Big Bang’. Within the article Sadiki states “Mohamed Bouazizi is considered to be the spark to the Arab Spring.” Furthermore Sadiki goes on to voice “The
References: Gardner, F. (2011, December 17). Tunisia one year on: where the Arab spring started. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16230190 Ryan, Y Black, I. (2010, July 13). Amnesty international censures Tunisia over human rights. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/13/amnesty-criticises-tunisia-human-rights Ben Ali quits after 23 years in power & leaves Tunisia Hanif, M. (2011, May 27). G8 pledges billions to foster Arab spring. Retrieved from http://boostlexicon.blogspot.ca "Tunisia." The World Factbook Daragah, B. (2012, January 13). Spoils of Ben Ali regime remain elusive. Retrieved from http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/aad4a8f0-3ddf-11e1-91f3-00144feabdc0.html Tunisia: Deposed leader to be tried in absentia next week (2011, June 14)