Conversation Hour 6/20/2012 Franklin Center, Sfax
Is Tunisia becoming a Democracy?
Part I Democracy defined Democracy is a form of government, in which power is ultimately drawn from and represents the will of the people. Its distinguishing marks are representation and free elections. (Dictionary of World Politics) Democracy is constitutional rule by the numerical many (that is, majority rule) in which the majority respects minority rights and the rule of law. (Exploring political ideas) Democracy is government by the people, for the people, and of the people. (American President Abraham Lincoln)
The term pseudo-democracy describes governments that are democracies in name only. A pseudo-democracy has a democratic constitution on paper and an authoritarian government in reality. The term hybrid democracy or illiberal democracy describes governments that are partly democratic and partly authoritarian. For example, the constitution may be inconsistently applied or the government attempts to control the outcome of regularly scheduled elections.
Part II Measuring Democracy Larry Dayls four criteria: Citizens must have the right to vote in free, fair, and competitive elections. Citizens must have the freedom to express their political views and to form parties and other political associations-even if they oppose the government in power. Citizens must have free access to all points of view. The government must be held responsive to the majority that elected its representatives.
Freedom house classification: free, partly free, not free Indicators include free and fair elections, open political competition, civil liberties, an independent civil society, and a media free of government interference. Rank of Tunisia in 2012 - Partly Free o Tunisias political rights rating improved from 7 to 3, its civil liberties rating improved from 5 to 4, and its status improved from Not Free to Partly Free due to free and fair elections for the transitional Constituent Assembly held in October; increased freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and religious expression; and greater freedom for academics and nongovernmental organizations, all of which
followed the ouster of longtime president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in January.
Conversation Hour 6/20/2012 Franklin Center, Sfax
Freedom Houses Political Rights and Civil Liberties Checklist Questions POLITICAL RIGHTS
A. ELECTORAL PROCESS 1. Is the head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? 2. Are the national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? 3. Are the electoral laws and framework fair? B. POLITICAL PLURALISM AND PARTICIPATION 1. Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system open to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? 2. Is there a significant opposition vote and a realistic possibility for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? 3. Are the peoples political choices free from domination by the military, foreign powers, totalitarian parties, religious hierarchies, economic oligarchies, or any other powerful group? 4. Do cultural, ethnic, religious, or other minority groups have full political rights and electoral opportunities? C. FUNCTIONING OF GOVERNMENT 1. Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? 2. Is the government free from pervasive corruption? 3. Is the government accountable to the electorate between elections, and does it operate with openness and transparency? ADDITIONAL DISCRETIONARY POLITICAL RIGHTS QUESTIONS 1. Is the government or occupying power deliberately changing the ethnic composition of a country or territory so as to destroy a culture or tip the political balance in favor of another group?
Conversation Hour 6/20/2012 Franklin Center, Sfax
Freedom Houses Political Rights and Civil Liberties Checklist Questions Cont. CIVIL LIBERTIES
D. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND BELIEF 1. Are there free and independent media and other forms of cultural expression? 2. Are religious institutions and communities free to practice their faith and express themselves in public and private? 3. Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free of extensive political indoctrination? 4. Is there open and free private discussion? E. ASSOCIATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL RIGHTS 1. Is there freedom of assembly, demonstration, and open public discussion? 2. Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations? (Note: This includes civic organizations, interest groups, foundations, etc.) 3. Are there free trade unions and peasant organizations or equivalents, and is there effective collective bargaining? Are there free professional and other private organizations? F. RULE OF LAW 1. Is there an independent judiciary? 2. Does the rule of law prevail in civil and criminal matters? Are police under direct civilian control? 3. Is there protection from political terror, unjustified imprisonment, exile, or torture, whether by groups that support or oppose the system? Is there freedom from war and insurgencies? 4. Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? G. PERSONAL AUTONOMY AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS 1. Do citizens enjoy freedom of travel or choice of residence, employment, or institution of higher education? 2. Do citizens have the right to own property and establish private businesses? Is private business activity unduly influenced by government officials, the security forces, political parties/organizations, or organized crime? 3. Are there personal social freedoms, including gender equality, choice of marriage partners, and size of family? 4. Is there equality of opportunity and the absence of economic exploitation?
Conversation Hour 6/20/2012 Franklin Center, Sfax
References Gale Group. Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations: Africa Tenth Edition. Farmington Hills: Gale Group, 2001. Print. Kurian, George. Dictionary of World Politics.Washington DC: CQ Press, 2002. Print. Puddington, Arch. Freedom in the World 2012: The Arab Uprisings and their Global Repercussions.Web. Schechter, Stephen L., and Thomas S. Vontz. Exploring Political Ideas: Concepts that Shape our World. Washington DC: CQ Press, 2010. Print.
