61 research outputs found
Tunisia: Changes and Challenges of Political Transition. MEDPRO Technical Report No. 3/May 2011
For 23 years, a combination of harsh repression and impressive socio-economic development in Tunisia
ensured a certain level of stability of Ben Aliâs regime. However, on 14 January 2011, after several weeks of
anti-government protests, the President fled the country, revealing the fallacy of the âTunisian modelâ. While
the departure of Ben Ali is an important step towards Tunisiaâs political change, the fate of its democratic
transition remains uncertain. In light of these changes and challenges, this paper first assesses the factors
underpinning the former stability of Ben Aliâs regime; it then investigates the causes of its underlying
unsustainability, culminating in the anti-government popular uprising in December 2010-January 2011 and
the removal of Ben Ali; finally the paper evaluates the prospects for a real democratic transition in Tunisia,
by highlighting the main political and socio-economic challenges that confront the countr
Youth in the South East Mediterranean Region and the Need for a Political Economy Approach
The paper is the authorsâ own elaboration of the POWER2YOUTH research results and research experience. The authors argue for the importance of placing both the problems of youth in the South East Mediterranean, as well as the construction of the youth category itself and the narratives associated with it, within the broader political economy processes of the region. The first part of the paper concentrates on the political economy behind âyouth problemsâ, whereas the second part critically analyses âyouthâ in relation to social change and mobilization
Bringing Social Justice and Human Rights Back In
This report contrasts how European institutional and civil society stakeholders âtalk and practiceâ the Mediterranean into being. Based on extensive stakeholder consultations, it tends to confirm the finding of MEDRESET Work Package 1, namely that EU institutions construct the Mediterranean through three discursive practices: the Mediterranean as a space crucial for EU interests, as a dangerous space and as a diverse geopolitical space. In stark difference to this institutional imaginary, European civil society and grassroots actors are constructing the Mediterranean space through three different discursive practices, namely the Mediterranean as a space in which universal values are being violated; as a space that is economically, but not geopolitically or ideationally, dominated by the EU; and as one where civic space is shrinking and xenophobia, authoritarianism and âwall politicsâ are prevailing. To rebuild an equal Mediterranean space and a flexible, inclusive and responsive EU role in it, European stakeholders suggest two policy alternatives: a policy of social justice and human rights, and a policy of reconciliation
The Tunisian Revolution: An Opportunity for Democratic Transition. MEDPRO Commentary, 24 January 2011
To help promote a peaceful transition to democracy in Tunisia, a new MEDPRO Commentary by Rym Ayadi, Silvia Colombo, Maria Cristina Paciello and Nathalie Tocci calls upon the EU to act quickly on its declaration of support for âa genuine democratic transitionâ and to consult with political parties both from the transition government and beyond to prepare for the running of the next elections. A positive resolution of this crisis will only be achieved if the internal and external players follow the lessons of successful democratic transitions elsewhere
Towards a More Reflexive EU in the Mediterranean. Final Policy Recommendations of MEDRESET
In MEDRESETâs final policy recommendations, aimed at the new European Parliament, Commission and High Representative, we propose that the EU should become a more reflexive actor in the Mediterranean. Three related steps are key to take into this direction: (1) Substance: Begin to have periodic screening reports of EU policies and the possible harmful effects they have, and set up a study commission to reflect on a new development model for the whole Mediterranean, Europe included. (2) Actors: Work with local non-co-opted civil society and include it in all stages of policy-making towards third countries. (3) Instruments: Come forward with a reconciliation, âdo no harmâ and dialogue policy
Youth in the South Est Mediterranean Region and the Need for a Political Economy Approach
The paper is the authorsâ own elaboration of the Power2Youth research results and research experience. The authors argue for the importance of placing both the problems of youth in the South East Mediterranean, as well as the construction of the youth category itself and the narratives associated with it, within the broader political economy processes of the region. The first part of the paper concentrates on the political economy behind âyouth problemsâ, whereas the second part critically analyses âyouthâ in relation to social change and mobilization
Public Action towards Youth in Neo-Liberal Morocco: Fostering and Controlling the Unequal Inclusion of the New Generation
The paper is devoted to analysing public action toward youth in Morocco since the 90s in the \ud
context of implementation of neo-liberal reform. After providing an historical overview of \ud
youth policy in the country, it analyses relevant youth policies in four interrelated domains of \ud
public action: employment, family, migration and spatial planning policies
Youth in Tunisia: Trapped Between Public Control and the Neo-Liberal Economy
âYouthâ has been a category of public action in Tunisia ever since the country achieved its independence, although the discourse, values and policies associated with it have changed following the different phases of the countryâs political economy. The paper provides an analysis of relevant youth policies in four interrelated domains of public action, with a focus on the period since the 90s: family, employment, migration and spatial planning policies
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