Economic and Political Change in Tunisia : From Bourguiba to Ben Ali

This book examines the processes of economic and political reform in Tunisia, placing the current policies of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali within their historical context. Emma Murphy develops a theoretical understanding of the relationship between economic liberalization and political change in the Arab world, developing the concept of the disarticulation of the corporatist state and concluding that, despite efforts at democratization, an authoritarian political system is a more likely successor in the era of economic transformation. Economic liberalization is the catchphrase of development economics at the end of the twentieth century. While its socio-economic virtues and costs are still debated, its political implications are equally unclear. This book examines the relationship between economic liberalization and political reform, developing a theoretical approach towards understanding the dysfunction of the corporatist state in the Arab world and the apparent retreat into authoritarian, rather than democratic, political systems. The book examines the case of Tunisia, a country which has undergone profound economic liberalization and simultaneous political change. The roots of those changes are traced back to the failures of the corporatist political system developed by Habib Bourguiba, the father of the post-independence state. The presidency of his successor, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, is analysed in terms of the policies and problems of reform. In conclusion, the book seeks to explain why the Tunisian state seems unable to combine its economic transformation with meaningful progress towards democratization "This book examines the relationship between economic liberalization and political reform, developing a theoretical approach towards understanding the dysfunction of the corporatist state in the Arab world and the apparent retreat into authoritarian, rather than democratic, political systems." "The book examines the case of Tunisia, a country which has undergone profound economic liberalization and simultaneous political change. The roots of those changes are traced back to the failures of the corporatist political system developed by Habib Bourguiba, the father of the post-independence state. The presidency of his successor, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, is analysed in terms of the policies and problems of reform. In conclusion, the book seeks to explain why the Tunisian state seems unable to combine its economic transformation with meaningful progress towards democratization."--Jacket Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-11 Economic Liberalization and the State in the Developing World: From Corporatism to Authoritarianism....Pages 12-41 The Rise and Fall of the Corporatist State in Tunisia, 1956–1986....Pages 42-79 The Roots of Crisis: Economic Policy under Bourguiba, 1956–1987....Pages 80-102 Macroeconomic Stabilization and Early Economic Reform: The Seventh Development Plan, 1987–1991....Pages 103-131 The Consolidation of Structural Adjustment: The Eighth Development Plan, 1992–1996....Pages 132-163 The Politics of Reconciliation and Reform, 1987–1990....Pages 164-192 The Reassertion of the State, 1990–1997....Pages 193-220 The Disarticulation of Multi-Party Corporatism: State and Society under Ben Ali....Pages 221-244 Back Matter....Pages 245-285

A detailed analysis of the relationship between economic liberalization and political change in Tunisia.

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Taking Tunisia since its independence as a case study, Murphy (Middle East politics, U. of Durham) examines the relationship between economic liberalization and political reform and develops a theoretical approach to understanding the dysfunction of the corporatist state in the Arab world and the apparent retreat into authoritarian rather than democratic political systems. She contrasts the political system developed by Habib Bourguiba, the father of the post-independence state, with that of his successor, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

This book examines the processes of economic and political reform in Tunisia, placing the current policies of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali within their historical context. The book develops a theoretical understanding of the relationship between economic liberalisation and political change in the Arab world, developing the concept of the disarticulation of the corporatist state and concluding that, despite efforts at democratization, an authoritarian political system is a more likely successor in the era of economic transformation.