WP: The end of history comes to Tunisia

The end of the story comes to Tunisia

PARIS - Tunisia's "Jasmine revolution" is still unfolding, but we can already read lessons on democracy and democratization which go far beyond the Maghreb in it.
To set the jasmine revolution in historical perspective, we need to remember 4 June 1989 - the Central Sunday, the Poland voted the Communists, who crushed a budding democratic movement in Tiananmen Square by the power and at the other end of the Eurasia, China. A fork in the road of human history looks in retrospect that day. A path led to the downfall of communism and a new birth of freedom and democracy - sometimes bloody and painful – in Europe. The other path pursued an alternative (s) remaining under party control of course, with China, but masses impoverished delivering prosperity to his amazing and sustainable growth.
When the revolutionary year 1989 was unfolded, thought about Francis Fukuyama, Noir still controversial whether the path selected the "end of history. Europe" launched following Hegel, Fukuyama made the case that history is directional - it somewhere - results for two reasons. First, the restless spread of technology and the liberal economic order that has a homogenizing effect. Secondly was Hegelian "struggle for recognition" pervasive force of humanity, powerful enough to the countless individuals to the ultimate sacrifice lead.
But, held during a broad consensus that Communism was nothing but a dead end, China's economic success and the authoritarian backlash in Russia after Boris Yeltsin's retirement from the Kremlin a decade ago a pessimistic analysis prompted. Theories of "democratic rollback" and of a "Authoritarian powers" resurgence appeared to reveal the potential of systems combining capitalism nationalism and which status-led growth.
Some argued that authoritarian rule might be a much safer and more secure way to animal welfare as a democracy offer, others claimed the virtues of "Asian values" and others have praised the democracy in the Arab or Muslim world would only pave the way for Islamic fundamentalists to take power. Not surprisingly, autocrats embraced everywhere such views.
But the message of Tunisia Jasmine revolution rings loud and clear: democracy - liberal political order, where it is anchored - is not just a Western concept (or a Western conspiracy) and holds universal appeal, powered by craving for "Recognition." Moreover, it is accessible modernisation early in a country.
To be sure, the authoritarian rule of the early stage of industrialization can manage. But can't work any 'knowledge economy' with muzzle heads. Even the smartest authoritarian rulers are unable to manage complexity in this scale - not to mention corruption which inevitably breeds in the protected shadows of autocracy.
The American political scientist Daniel Deudney have a challenge of the "myth of autocratic rebirth", and John Ikenberry explores China and Russia found "little evidence of the emergence of a stable balance between capitalism and autocracy, that this combination as a new model of modernity could be worthy." While neither country as a liberal democracy qualifies both "are much more liberal and democratic, than you've ever been, and many of the critical foundations for sustainable liberal democracy"-a main obstacle is the centrifugal forces, democracy, to unleash the might.
But most are untroubled by such a threat that quietly or spectacular, rallied around the liberal order for decades. Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia have done this, without being hampered by their alleged "Asian values".
Similarly, Latin America, once the playground of the myriad juntas and golpes, now largely enshrines in political liberalism. Turkey is governed by a mild Islamist party that plays by the rules of democracy. And in early 2009, the presidential campaign in the Iran have announced a formidable yearning for freedom.
What is apparent from these cases is developing both channels, Fukuyama enabled identifies the direction of history as design: cumulative economic and technological change and the desire for recognition. Both the individual empowerment, which is the gateway to freedom and promote democracy. The paths differ between countries, setbacks are not unusual and it can take decades, but the crack can occur if the circumstances are right - as in Tunisia.
In fact the jasmine revolution embodies all the principles of liberal political order which in the West since 1941 Atlantic Charter advocates has been: a longing for freedom, opportunity and the rule of law. Moreover, Tunisia revolution was imported as part of some forced regime change, indigenous.
Tunisian people, led by a frustrated middle class who refused to be intimidated, have thus a healthy reminder that consistent and compelling forces the behavior of individuals and Nations today go. They illustrate the catalytic effect of digital connectivity (clearly visible under China's "classes Twitter"). And encourage accountability other Arab Nations, as in Egypt, the case may be, their rulers could impose.
What have the result in Tunisia those who believe that democracy, Woodrow Wilson, makes a place according to the world - and more democracy safe making it - every reason to rejoice in such auspicious development.
Pierre Bühler, former French diplomat, was an associate professor at Sciences Po, Paris Copyright: project syndicate/Institute of Humanities, 2011.
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STAATSMÄNNER: The bourgeois roots of Tunisia revolution

The bourgeois roots of Tunisia revolution

PARIS - Tunisia, is one of the 22 members of the Arab League in a serious and profound economic crisis, maybe with a low resolution. It is the smallest North African country covering 163,000 square kilometres - more or less twice the size of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg and a population of 10.5 million.
It is also full of charm and moderation of its climate, history and culture. It was once the pillars of cultural dynamics and influence of the Roman Republic and Empire. The first mandate be Christianized, it was the land of Saint Augustine and the main source for Catholic evangelization in Africa. Originally mainly Berber Islamized it was conquered by the Arabs, and became a dependency of the Sublime Porte and therefore Turkish for centuries.
It became a French protectorate, not a colony - as in the case of the neighbouring Algeria - in the nineteenth century. This difference helps explain the relatively higher conservation of Tunisia's social structures and local traditions.
After achieving independence in 1956, Tunisia accepted a French style Republican Constitution, which established a presidential system of Government. The first President, Habib Bourguiba, was fierce emerged victorious as its counterpart in Algeria the leader of the liberation movement, which much faster – and much less. A highly westernized leader, Bourguiba maintained the lay character of the State, he took over from France, and many of its economic relations with the West (in particular France, of course), in a committed way than Algeria has much after independence.
Makes some rare attempts between Marxist groups failed to take. Unlike other African or Middle Eastern countries, Tunisia remained largely a country of free enterprise, allowing some industrial development. In recent years become Africa's leading exporter of industrial products exceeds even in South Africa and Egypt.
The aged Bourguiba was also weakened in 1987, still in Office. His Interior Minister, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, after Prime Minister appointed was soon managed to certify Bourguiba as medically unfit and ousted him from the Presidency.
The new leader was already suppressed for the Islamic movement have found a policy he intensifies after he President. Non-Muslim and secular Tunisian citizens - and much of the world, particularly in France - were grateful. They made excuses for the brutality that was Ali's politics behind Ben, endorsed the results without observation and questioning the means that have been achieved.
But these funds ended leading the almost total suppression of freedom of expression in Tunisia: a censored press, the imprisonment of journalists, political processes and arbitrary arrests in all circles of society, not just those bindings to the Islamic movement. Aim was to suppress all forms of democratic opposition.
Ben Ali's regime was a pure dictatorship. He and his family, empires in the local economy, built in almost every industry curves and make a fortune for themselves.
But the industrialization policy was maintained. A true middle class comparable Egypt, but unlike any other Arab country, with the possible exception of Morocco created.
And then, like everywhere else occurred 2008 growth, social tensions of global economic crisis, which began fueling. Muzzle the press and Parliament have been established, was the only way to relieve this tension in the streets.
The police fired on the crowd on several occasions, but turned out to be too weak to intimidate the protesters. The decisive moment came when the army of former suppression of protests. Once refusal to support his regime was clear of the army, Ben Ali, Saudi Arabia fled to after France refused, to welcome him into exile.
For a moment there was hope for a national unity Government, in which Ben Ali's rump Cabinet, and the opposition would prepare a presidential election combine. But an angry audience would have none of it. Only left was a coalition comprised of the former divisions that make in the absence of a prestigious institutional framework, a return to stability slow, difficult and dangerous.
Tunisia is in danger. Islamism could emerge ultimately victorious. It is also possible that Tunisia is undergoing the Arab world's first "bourgeois" revolution. If so, Tunisia uprising could be a game-changing event for the entire region.
Michel Rocard is a former Prime Minister of France and a former leader of the Socialist Party Copyright: project syndicate, 2011.
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