Arabiska Våren i Maghreb Regionen: En komparativ demokratiseringsstudie av Tunisien och Libyen
(2021) STVK02 20202Department of Political Science
- Abstract
- This essay aims to examine the main factors behind why the transition to democracy during the Arab Spring succeeded in Tunisia whilst it failed in Libya. Tunisia is often referred to as the birthplace of the Arab Spring and later inspired regional neighbours to demand democratic reforms. Through a comparative approach this essay aims to provide a broader understanding as to how and why the outcome(s) of the Arab Spring differentiated in the two neighbouring countries. The essay is based on four of Larry Diamond´s nine factors from his book ¨The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World’’. It is suggested based on the analysis of the four factors that Libya failed in their transition to democracy mainly... (More)
- This essay aims to examine the main factors behind why the transition to democracy during the Arab Spring succeeded in Tunisia whilst it failed in Libya. Tunisia is often referred to as the birthplace of the Arab Spring and later inspired regional neighbours to demand democratic reforms. Through a comparative approach this essay aims to provide a broader understanding as to how and why the outcome(s) of the Arab Spring differentiated in the two neighbouring countries. The essay is based on four of Larry Diamond´s nine factors from his book ¨The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World’’. It is suggested based on the analysis of the four factors that Libya failed in their transition to democracy mainly because of the lack of international support after the military intervention by NATO. It is a well-known factor that democracy by force is not going to turn an authoritarian state into a sustainable democracy overnight. In the case of Tunisia, it is argued that the Arab Spring occurred in a more peaceful way, hence leading to a calmer and more stabilized transition to democracy. This occurred mainly because Tunisia received stronger international support, had a weaker presidential power and a significantly stronger civil society. Moreover, these elements made it possible for Civil Society Organizations (CSO:s) to mediate between the regime and the demonstrators based on cooperation and negotiations. Hence, making the transition from autocracy to democracy in Tunisia easier. In comparison, the failed transition to democracy in Libya was hindered by violence, a weak civil society and civil war. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9033850
- author
- Hylén Knutson, Hanna LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- STVK02 20202
- year
- 2021
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- Arab Spring, Tunisia, Libya, MENA, North Africa, Democratization theory
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9033850
- date added to LUP
- 2021-05-11 15:25:24
- date last changed
- 2021-05-11 15:25:24
@misc{9033850, abstract = {{This essay aims to examine the main factors behind why the transition to democracy during the Arab Spring succeeded in Tunisia whilst it failed in Libya. Tunisia is often referred to as the birthplace of the Arab Spring and later inspired regional neighbours to demand democratic reforms. Through a comparative approach this essay aims to provide a broader understanding as to how and why the outcome(s) of the Arab Spring differentiated in the two neighbouring countries. The essay is based on four of Larry Diamond´s nine factors from his book ¨The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World’’. It is suggested based on the analysis of the four factors that Libya failed in their transition to democracy mainly because of the lack of international support after the military intervention by NATO. It is a well-known factor that democracy by force is not going to turn an authoritarian state into a sustainable democracy overnight. In the case of Tunisia, it is argued that the Arab Spring occurred in a more peaceful way, hence leading to a calmer and more stabilized transition to democracy. This occurred mainly because Tunisia received stronger international support, had a weaker presidential power and a significantly stronger civil society. Moreover, these elements made it possible for Civil Society Organizations (CSO:s) to mediate between the regime and the demonstrators based on cooperation and negotiations. Hence, making the transition from autocracy to democracy in Tunisia easier. In comparison, the failed transition to democracy in Libya was hindered by violence, a weak civil society and civil war.}}, author = {{Hylén Knutson, Hanna}}, language = {{swe}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, title = {{Arabiska Våren i Maghreb Regionen: En komparativ demokratiseringsstudie av Tunisien och Libyen}}, year = {{2021}}, }