The Compatibility of Islamism with Democratization: The Case of the Tunisian Experience

Samet Ünlü

Article Details

The Compatibility of Islamism with Democratization: The Case of the Tunisian Experience

Authors:

Samet Ünlü

Publisher:

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 2, pp.1029-1043

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351104

pISSN:

2757-9425

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The process that began with the Arab Spring in 2011 positioned Tunisia as one of the most successful examples of democratization, with the Ennahda Movement demonstrating how an Islamist party could operate within a democratic system. Ennahda pursued a conciliatory political approach, contributing to the establishment of democratic institutions and the adoption of the 2014 Constitution. However, economic crises, political instability, and security threats weakened the democratization process, leading to the countrys shift towards authoritarianism in 2021 when President Kais Saied suspended the constitutional order. These developments raised questions about the ability of Islamist parties to adapt to democratization. This study highlights that the success of democratization depends not only on political actors but also on economic stability, a strong civil society, and independent institutions, drawing lessons from the Tunisian model.

 The process that began with the Arab Spring in 2011 positioned Tunisia as one of the most successful examples of democratization, with the Ennahda Movement demonstrating how an Islamist party could operate within a democratic system. Ennahda pursued a conciliatory political approach, contributing to the establishment of democratic institutions and the adoption of the 2014 Constitution. However, economic crises, political instability, and security threats weakened the democratization process, leading to the countrys shift towards authoritarianism in 2021 when President Kais Saied suspended the constitutional order. These developments raised questions about the ability of Islamist parties to adapt to democratization. This study highlights that the success of democratization depends not only on political actors but also on economic stability, a strong civil society, and independent institutions, drawing lessons from the Tunisian model.

 The process that began with the Arab Spring in 2011 positioned Tunisia as one of the most successful examples of democratization, with the Ennahda Movement demonstrating how an Islamist party could operate within a democratic system. Ennahda pursued a conciliatory political approach, contributing to the establishment of democratic institutions and the adoption of the 2014 Constitution. However, economic crises, political instability, and security threats weakened the democratization process, leading to the countrys shift towards authoritarianism in 2021 when President Kais Saied suspended the constitutional order. These developments raised questions about the ability of Islamist parties to adapt to democratization. This study highlights that the success of democratization depends not only on political actors but also on economic stability, a strong civil society, and independent institutions, drawing lessons from the Tunisian model.

 2011de Arap Baharı ile başlayan süreçte Tunus, en başarılı demokratikleşme örneklerinden biri olarak görülmüş, Ennahda Hareketi ise İslamcı bir partinin demokratik sistem içinde nasıl hareket edebileceğini göstermiştir. Uzlaşmacı bir siyaset izleyen Ennahda, demokratik kurumların inşasında rol oynayarak 2014 Anayasasının kabulüne katkıda bulunmuştur. Ancak ekonomik krizler, siyasi istikrarsızlık ve güvenlik tehditleri demokratikleşme sürecini zayıflatmış, 2021de Cumhurbaşkanı Kays Saidin anayasal düzeni askıya almasıyla ülke otoriterleşmeye yönelmiştir. Bu gelişmeler, İslamcı partilerin demokratikleşmeye uyum sağlama kapasitesine dair soru işaretleri doğurmuştur. Araştırma, Tunus modelinin sunduğu dersler ışığında, demokratikleşmenin yalnızca siyasal aktörlere değil, ekonomik istikrar, güçlü sivil toplum ve bağımsız kurumlara da bağlı olduğunu vurgulamaktadır.

Article Details

The Compatibility of Islamism with Democratization: The Case of the Tunisian Experience

Authors:

Samet Ünlü

Publisher:

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 2, pp.1029-1043

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351104

pISSN:

2757-9425

Democracy

Islamism

Political Islam

Tunusian ModelDemokrasi

İslamcılık

Siyasal İslam

Tunus modeli

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Samet Ünlü

Publisher: Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics: Siyaset Sosyolojisi

Journal: Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 2, pp.1029-1043

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001351104

pISSN: 2757-9425

Issues

Authors:

Samet Ünlü

Publisher:

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics:

Siyaset Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 2, pp.1029-1043

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001351104

pISSN:

2757-9425