Democracy and Development: Economic Outcomes of Tunisia’s Post-2011 Democratic Transition

Abstract

In this thesis, we investigate the relationship between democratization and economic performance and whether the former engenders the latter. Therefore, the research question that guides our analysis throughout this thesis will be: Does democratization following revolution improve economic performance? For this aim, we use theoretical frameworks established by scholars and Tunisia as a case study. This analysis shows that despite the significant political transformations the country achieved, the expected economic outcomes of democracy did not materialize. Tunisia’s democratic experience was paired with deteriorating economic environment which reduced the public’s confidence in democratic institutions.