Tunusia in Arab Spring: Analysis of the transition from authoritarianism to democracy

Period of Arab Spring started in Tunusia and continued in the other Middle East countries as well. As a result of the events that happened in that period of time, violence wasn't seen, deaths weren't happened in Tunusia as much as the other examples of the region. As a result of the demand of democracy of the Tunusians, interim governments were set up, elections of the constituent assembly and first free and democratic elections were held. With the new constitution, equal rights and freedom were granted. The country became an ideal example for the other Middle Eastern countries in the Arab Spring. The secular tradition of Tunusia, that started to be established in the colonial period with the modernization process, not only in the authoritarian years but also during the Arab Spring, played an important role in the democratization proces of the country. Especially high level of education in the country had produced a well-educated citizens. So-called identity of the country and its secular political tradition made Tunusia one of the most successful example of the Arab Spring when compared with the others in the Middle East. KEYWORDS: Tunusia, Arab Spring, Democracy, Authoritarianism, Habib Burgiba, Zeynel Abidin Bin Ali.