Tunisia: Understanding Conflict 2012 - Johns Hopkins School of ...

1) Freedom to form and to join organizations; 2) freedom of
expression; 3) the right to vote; 4) eligibility for public office; 5) the
right of political leaders to compete for support and votes; 6)
alternative sources of information; 7) free and fair elections; and 8)
institutions for making government policies depend on votes and other
expressions of preference. (Stepan, 2000, 39)
Essential here, Stepan argues, is that while these conditions are necessary, they are not
sufficient. This is because a democratic state must necessarily also be governed by a
democratic constitution and legally protected rights for minorities. From a perspective
discussing religion, the highlighting of the minority viewpoints must also refer to those of
different religious views. Important to note is that if religion is defined as a
conglomeration of belief, behavior, and belonging surrounding a specific ideology, there
is room for secularism to be considered a “religious” viewpoint. 6
Within the Tunisian context, a broader ideological characterization of democracy
reflecting liberal values was apparent through the conversations with those interviewed.
Particularly when discussing the Tunisian revolution, it was broadly stated that the goal
of the revolution was to restore dignity and liberty against an oppressive dictator. The
goal of freedom clearly influences the desired construction of democratic institutions in
post-revolution Tunisia. For example, Ben Ezzine Mustapha, the Vice-President of “I
Watch,” stated that democracy is what provides a mechanism for liberty (SAIS Group
Meeting, 23 January 2012). Furthermore, Radwan Masmoudi from the Center for the
Study of Islam and Democracy defined democracy as having four pillars: 1) Free and fair
elections; 2) separation of powers; 3) human rights, freedom of religion and speech; and
4) protection of minorities (SAIS Group Meeting, 26 January 2012). Essential within this
6 This definition of religion as a conglomeration of belief, belonging, and behaving incorporates
the multitude of religious experiences amongst all different members of a religion. Parties exhibit
their faith differently depending on their personal convictions and different emphasis present in
different religions or denominations. Additionally, depending on the modernization process that
the society has undergone or the norms that exist within the society, common religious practices
and interpretations will differ, including freedom not to espouse any religion. (Cesari, 2011)
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