TUNISIA: Revolution shows hollowness of Arab system in face of people power

The citizens’ revolution in Tunisia that forced dictator Zine el Abidine ben Ali to flee the country provides many lessons for the Arab world. Regimes should keep the lessons in mind to avoid repeating Tunisia’s experience in their own countries, while citizens can draw inspiration in hopes of effecting democratic change.

First, Tunisian citizens have reminded Arabs of the main lesson of democratic transformations: Never underestimate the potential of peoples stifled under the yoke of authoritarianism. No matter how long the rule lasts or how tight its grip, citizens will instigate change through sudden revolutions and uprisings with the power to overcome corruption and bullets.

Second, Arabs have learned that authoritarian regimes lack public legitimacy, even if they create economic growth. Under Ben Ali, Tunisia had the highest growth rate among Arab countries outside the Gulf region; average annual individual income rose to $4,000, education became more widespread, and illiteracy rates were cut significantly.

Once this growth stagnated, however, many Tunisians became dissatisfied and had no place to turn to air their grievances. Their concerns about bread-and-butter issues quickly evolved into a broader demand for political liberties and democracy.

Third, authoritarian leaders are incapable of comprehending people’s suffering. Ben Ali and his ministers ignored rising unemployment rates of 40% among the educated youth and the increasing gap between rich and poor. When street protests turned into a larger uprising, Ben Ali’s regime responded with bullets and clubs. It was only in the final days of his 23-year rule that Ben Ali promised citizens economic and social development, government accountability and democratic change. He convinced no one.

Fourth, attempts to overthrow authoritarian rule can occur spontaneously and gain momentum quickly. Demonstrators in Tunisia went beyond raising slogans of democracy, human rights and good governance by forcing the regime to acknowledge their basic social and economic rights. While the cost of overcoming Ben Ali’s regime was high — some 70 Tunisians were killed before he left the country — the demonstrators’ speed and persistence, as well as their growing ability to use social media, were successful in facilitating change.

Finally, authoritarian rulers in the Arab world who form friendships with the West — as Tunisia did — should recall the Islamic revolution of Iran in 1979 that overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Despite the West’s support for the authoritarian ruler, dictators can be removed from office and Western capitals are among the first to give up on them.

If Arab leaders of recalcitrant regimes heed these lessons, they should seek to implement democratic change in measured steps. Within a few weeks, they can impose a democratic form of government, despite the absence of viable opposition. That would benefit not only those in power, but their citizens as well.

-- Amr Hamzawy in Beirut.

Photo: A protester waves the Tunisian flag during one of the massive demonstrations in Tunis that eventually forced president Zine el Abidine ben Ali to flee. Credit: AP/Christophe Ena

Comments

[Laura Soltani]

The Tunisian Revolution set off the start of change in North Africa and throughout the Middle East.

The new political uprising that has started in Albania two days ago is being described as inspired by the Tunisian Jasmin Revolution.

Israel has reason to worry now...

They are watching what will occur in Libya, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Syria, Morocco and so forth.

The Awakening... they are not taking it well of course.

A point of no return.

I am hopeful then they Israel might put an end to its Holocaust treatment of the Palestinians today.

Things are changing rapidly and the Old Order of the Autocratic regimes is being revoked and removed. The contagion, Tumbling down ..

Governments are changing and so is the political map of that entire area.

It is not The Beginning Nor is it The End.

...

FYI:

Albanian opposition calls for the government to resign over corruption claims

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gZd6KUZOJOgnQM7A36OTU-SaWi-w?docId=5705868

The Canadian Press: Albanian opposition calls for the government to resign over corruption claims
www.google.com

[Robert Tolchin]

So was this about politics or food prices?

[Joe]

Dictators have a habit of destroying their oppositions during their reign, they always start with inteligencia, political opposition and religious leaders since they're limited in numbers, masses by far are religious in one degree or another but not intellectuals or politicians with any degree of proficiency, therefore after uprising by masses the only leaders left to unite peoples and form a government are exiles or junior religious or junior military leaders which are tend to be more radicals which makes a popular democratization of a revolution more time consuming, foreign powers interference tend to make these situations worst either before or after a revolution, only time will moderate these societies!

[eric d]

It's good to get a hopeful prognosis on the Tunisian situation. But it's still to be seen whether the Tunisian revolution brings democratization & progress or not. Since the Algerian Revolution of the '50s & 60s, the outlook hasn't been hopeful for democratizing revolutions in North Africa. Algeria veered between Marxist/Leninist dictatorship & Islamist revolt. The Iranian Revolution set the paradigm: a supposed "people power" revolution turned into an Islamist dictatorship which crushes the political opposition (the Green Movement) & hangs dissidents in the public squares. It's sincerely to be hoped that Tunisia will break this paradigm. But since the failure of the Third Worldist (Tiers Mondialiste) revolutions of the 50s 60s & 70s, "the West" is skeptical. Maybe with Western support, Tunisia will succeed; & the Green Movement will bring democratizing change to Iran. Meanwhile, we can only wait, watch, & hope.