ND Expert: Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame






	
	





  	Skip To Content
	Skip To Navigation
	Skip To Search






  
  
    University of Notre Dame

    
      
      Notre Dame News

      
      
    


    
    
      
        
        
        	
	Experts
	ND in the News
	Subscribe
	About Us
	


      
        
          
          
          
          
          
        

      


      
    


    
    
      	 Home
	 Contact
	 Search
	
          
          
            
            
          
          Menu
        
        


      
        
          
          
          
          
          
        

      

    

  

  
  

  

  
    	Home › 
	News › 
	ND Expert: Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution


    
      
        
          ND Expert: Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution

          
            
              
                
                Published: January 24, 2011
              

              
                Author: Shannon  Roddel
              

              







          

          
          
          

          
        
        
        
          

Of the world’s 22 Arab countries, Tunisia seemed to be the least likely to witness a popular revolution that would force an autocratic president to flee the country, says Emad Shahin, Henry R. Luce Associate Professor of Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame.

“For decades, Tunisia was a showcase for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund—a success story of economic reform and structural adjustment,” Shahin says. “Yet, revolution came despite a brutal police state, positive growth rates and decades-long Western support of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s corrupt regime.”

Called The Jasmine Revolution by Tunisians, Shahin says it may send shock waves to other autocratic Arab regimes and to their western backers.

“It shatters several myths,” he says, “the myth of Middle Eastern democratic exceptionalism, the myth of achieving economic reform without political liberalization, and the myth that western backing of autocratic regimes in the region will maintain stability and protect western strategic interests.

“Tunisians who bravely battled Ben Ali’s repressive machine in a non-violent and peaceful resistance show that the key to stability is freedom, dignity and democracy,” Shahin says.

Shahin examines the foundation for democracy and political reform within Islamic law, philosophy and political practices.  He formerly taught political science at the American University in Cairo.

Media Advisory: Shahin’s comments may be used in whole or in part.  He is available for interviews and can be reached at 202-406-0639 (cell) or Shahin.2@nd.edu

        

        
        
          
            
              Posted In:

              	International
	Research


            

            

          

        
      
      
    
  
  
    	Home
	Experts
	ND in the News
	Subscribe
	About Us


  

  
  
    
      
      
      
        
          Related

          
            

    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      




September 29, 2022

    
    
      Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


September 27, 2022

    
    
      Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


September 12, 2022

    
    
      Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street … in different countries? 
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


June 01, 2022

    
    
      University of Notre Dame to establish consortium of Catholic universities to study Muslim-Christian relations
    

  


    
        
    

  
    
      

      

      


May 03, 2022

    
    
      Pulte Institute launches Central America Research Alliance
    

  

          
        
    
     
  
  

  
  
    
      	For the Media
	Contact


    
            
    
      
	Office of Public Affairs and Communications


      Notre Dame News

      
        
          
            500 Grace Hall
 
            Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
          
          
          
          
        

        
          	 Facebook
	 Twitter
	 Instagram
	 YouTube
	 Pinterest


        
      

      
© 2022 University of Notre Dame

    
    
      

        
      
      
        
          	Search
	Mobile App
	News
	Events
	Visit
	Accessibility


        
        
          	 Facebook
	 Twitter
	 Instagram
	 YouTube
	 LinkedIn