Why Economic Reform Failed in Tunisia: Assessing Four Donors and a Country in Transition
Why Economic Reform Failed in Tunisia: Assessing Four Donors and a Country in Transition
International actors, despite expressing confidence in Tunisia’s political progress, struggled to adapt to resistance from the national labor union to economic reforms, the destabilizing effects of terrorism, and interference from external actors.
In the decade following the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, Tunisia emerged as the region’s best prospect for a democratic transition, achieving notable milestones such as a new constitution, free and fair elections, and the establishment of commissions addressing corruption, media freedom, and women’s rights. International actors responded by offering strong rhetorical support for the North African country alongside substantial financial aid pledges. However, even as they recognized that Tunisia’s political success must be underpinned by economic reform, they failed to adapt to troubling developments like resistance to change from the national labor union, the destabilizing impacts of terrorist violence, and interference from external actors.
In this detailed study, Sabina Henneberg traces the efforts of four donors—the World Bank, IMF, United States, and European Union—to bolster economic reform during Tunisia’s postrevolutionary decade. While the door may appear closed today due to President Saied’s consolidation of power, the study explains how future efforts could yield greater success if they focus on a longer timeframe, condition aid on reform, and prioritize sustained outreach to a domestic audience.
???? The report was fully and exclusively transferred and translated by the Studies Department at AboMatrix