The Democratization of Egypt and Tunisia
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN EGYPT AND TUNISIA
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
It appears that many countries are settling into a form of government that mixes a substantial degree of democracy with a substantial degree of illiberalism (Zakaria: 1997). Just like what Egypt and Tunisia are portraying to us. From authoritarian rule, they moved forward to become a democratic country and perceived a concept of democratic space. They are both in the path of a transitional democracy. They inhabit the wide and foggy zone between liberal democracy and closed authoritarianism. This comparative analysis will elaborate three major points in the prospect of democracy for Egypt and Tunisia. (1) The qualifications for a democratic space, (2) The role of Internal and External actors for their democratization and (3) The role of civil society, military and technology in the political and social change in the two countries.
According to republikein.com, the concept of democratic space is inconceivable in the absence of deliberative citizens and the different ways in which they mediate their pluralistic interests. It is also inconceivable in the absence of democratic power. In this sense the democratic power is equated to “power to” meaning the power becomes a resource that empowers and wakes the potential of the human person and of society. On the other hand, undemocratic power is "power over" almost at any cost. It is about control, domination and hegemony and operates outside the provisions of democratic politics. It advances the "grand narrative" of those who exercise and abuse power.
So let’s compare what is the reason why these two countries move forward to become a democratic country. According to orpheusfx.blogspot.com, the Tunisian uprising began when Mohammed Bouazizi—a college graduate eking out a living selling vegetables whose unlicensed cart was confiscated by the
In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
It appears that many countries are settling into a form of government that mixes a substantial degree of democracy with a substantial degree of illiberalism (Zakaria: 1997). Just like what Egypt and Tunisia are portraying to us. From authoritarian rule, they moved forward to become a democratic country and perceived a concept of democratic space. They are both in the path of a transitional democracy. They inhabit the wide and foggy zone between liberal democracy and closed authoritarianism. This comparative analysis will elaborate three major points in the prospect of democracy for Egypt and Tunisia. (1) The qualifications for a democratic space, (2) The role of Internal and External actors for their democratization and (3) The role of civil society, military and technology in the political and social change in the two countries.
According to republikein.com, the concept of democratic space is inconceivable in the absence of deliberative citizens and the different ways in which they mediate their pluralistic interests. It is also inconceivable in the absence of democratic power. In this sense the democratic power is equated to “power to” meaning the power becomes a resource that empowers and wakes the potential of the human person and of society. On the other hand, undemocratic power is "power over" almost at any cost. It is about control, domination and hegemony and operates outside the provisions of democratic politics. It advances the "grand narrative" of those who exercise and abuse power.
So let’s compare what is the reason why these two countries move forward to become a democratic country. According to orpheusfx.blogspot.com, the Tunisian uprising began when Mohammed Bouazizi—a college graduate eking out a living selling vegetables whose unlicensed cart was confiscated by the
References: Adesnik, D. & McFaul, M. 2006, "Engaging Autocratic Allies to Promote Democracy", the Washington Quarterly, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 7-26. Ali, R. 2011, The Power of Social Media in Egypt. [online]. Available from: http://buzzworthysocialmedia.com/2011/02/13/the-power-of-social-media-in-egypt/ Cruz, M De Veyra. L. 2011, WOTL: Egypt '11... Edsa '86. [online]. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYMPFFSVyF4 Diamond, L Ghonim, W. 2011, Workarounds: How One Man 's Courage Changed Egypt Forever. [online]. Available from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/wael-ghonim-egypt Gustin, S Lalami, L. 2011, Analysys: Tunisia and Egypt. [online]. Available from: http://orpheusfx.blogspot.com/2011/02/analysis-egypt-and-tunisia-by-laila.html McFaul, M Morlino, L. 2003, Democrazie e Democratizzazioni (Bologna: il Mulino,). Nye, J. 2011, New World Order. [online]. Available from: http://www.tnr.com/article/world/83707/information-technology-egypt-revolution Ottaway, M Pisani, A. 2007, Power and democratic space. [online]. Available from: http://www.republikein.com.na/politiek-en-nasionale/power-and-democratic-space.57427.php Pridham, G Vachudová, A.M. 2005, Europe Undivided: Democracy, Leverage & Integration after Communism, Oxford University Press, New York. Yeatman, A. 1997, 'Feminism and Power ' in M.L. Shanley and U. Narayan (eds.) Reconstructing Political Theory; feminist perspectives. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 144-157 Zakaria, F