Abstract

This thesis sets out by exploring processes of socio-economic and political change leading up to the most recent upheavals in the Arab World, with a focus on Tunisia and Morocco. A comparative study of the different historical trajectories of these countries is useful to identify causes for variation between countries that share many cultural, historical, socio-economic, and also political characteristics. The thesis illustrates how these countries have liberalized their economies without liberalizing their polities to the same extent, a process that has undermined regime legitimacy gradually over many years. In Tunisia the worsening marginalization for growing segments of the population led to massive unrest. When exploring how such mobilization was possible under repressive conditions, I suggest that a combination of â traditionalâ mobilization by means of NGOs, and â newâ mobilization via social media produced powerful tools for channeling popular discontent, articulated as oppositional discourse. The visible political opportunities for protests in Tunisia were not many, but the new, shared discourses of alienation and indignation compelled people to act. In Morocco, contention has been a more moderate and drawn-out affair throughout the spring and summer of 2011. The thesis contrasts mobilization in these two countries, and suggests that differences in regime type, levels of socio-economic development and class configuration, as well as patterns of interaction between regimes and protesters, may explain most of the variation in how mobilization unfolded, and which concessions the state has yielded.

Department

Political Science Department

Degree Name

MA in Political Science

Graduation Date

2-1-2011

Submission Date

January 2012

First Advisor

Korany, Bahgat

Second Advisor

Albrecht, Holger

Extent

NA

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Library of Congress Subject Heading 1

Tunisia -- Social conditions -- 21st century.

Library of Congress Subject Heading 2

Morocco -- Social conditions -- 21st century.

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

Comments

I wish to thank the AUC Political Science Department and the Associate Provost for Research Administration, Dr. Graham Harman, for supporting and accepting my application for a research grant to conduct fieldwork in Tunisia and Morocco during summer 2011

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