Mohammad Dawood Sofis The Tunisian Revolution and Democratic Transition is an important and engaging in-depth study of the role of the Arab Spring and the trajectory of the Tunisian revolution. The author provides an in-depth analysis of the history, development and the significant and critical role that Hizb al-Nahah (the Renaissance Party) and its founder Rachid Ghannouchi have played in Tunisias political transition from an autocracy to a struggling and emerging democracy.
John L. Esposito,Georgetown University, United States and author of The Future of Islam
This dynamic account of al-Nahah provides insightful analysis and a forthright, realistic, critical history. Dr. Sofis rich narrative illuminates Tunisian exceptionalism and unfolds the complex array of factors that shaped al-Nahahs evolution into a pragmatic political force supporting stability.
Jonathan K. Zartman,Air Command and Staff College, USA
Dr Dawood Sofi has, by this book, established himself as an expert on the intricate relationship between efforts towards democratization and smooth Islamization in Tunisia, a case of shining success in the so-called Arab Spring process. The book fills a void by addressing the root causes of a successful contribution to democratization through an Islamist agenda.
Cenap akmak, Anadolu University, Turkey
The book by Mohammad Dawood Sofi is a comprehensive and rigorous analysis of the role of Ennahda in the recent history of Tunisia, from its origins to the post-Arab uprisings phase. As such it is a must-read not only for anyone working on the North African country from a political and sociological perspective but also for scholars and practitioners alike who are interested in the pivotal trajectory of one of the most successful Islamist parties in the Arab-Muslim world.
Silvia Colombo,Istituto Affari Internazionali, Rome, Italy
This book is a welcome contribution to the study of the Tunisian transition and in particular the role that the Islamist party and its leader, Rachid Ghannouchi, played in it. It is a must-read for all those interested in understanding the origins and development of the party.
Francesco Cavatorta,Universit Laval, Quebec City, Canada
Mohammad Dawood Sofi provides an in-depth analysis of Tunisian political history with a focus on the role of Hizb al-Nahah in democratic transition in Tunisia since the fall of Bin Ali. The author offers a very interesting insight into this unique Tunisian case and explains the reasons for the success of al-Nahah in the country.
Abdul Majid Khan,Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
Based on comprehensive research, Dawood Sofi provides an important analysis on how Tunisia successfully evolved from authoritarianism into democratic governance. The Tunisia Revolution and Democratic Transition sheds light on the political, social, economic and constitutional developments that have shaped Tunisias exceptional path to democracy.
Ayfer Erdogan,Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
The Tunisian Revolution and Democratic Transition
Drawing on the history of post-independence Tunisia, the book studies the evolution of al-Nahah as a political party in Tunisia and its role in a protracted struggle to shape the post-authoritarian order along democratic lines. It explores al-Nahahs relationship with the Tunisian state society and beyond that resulted in shaping its fluctuating expressions of ideology and practices.
State repression, political participation, or internal differentiation (among other factors) place an Islamic movement (in this case al-Nahah) in such a situation that demands a perpetual self re-evaluation as well as implementation of ideology, objectives, and political programmes. The study explains how the socio-political setting in Tunisia demanded various ideologically opposite currents (Islamic, liberal, or leftist) to endure cross-ideological cooperation either to contest authoritarian regimes or to engage in the political process. It more importantly analyzes the trajectory of a gradual democratization process in the country and provides evidence explaining the impact and importance of a vibrant civil society, building of alliances, and sharing of power.
The book provides comparative analytical attention to the primary sources on these issues to create a critical historiography. It thus adds to the body of literature on the state, society, and politics in the MENA region and particularly targets students, scholars, and social scientists interested in understanding the nature of power and politics in Tunisia and beyond.
Mohammad Dawood Sofi is an Assistant Professor (Contractual) in Islamic Studies at the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), University of Kashmir Srinagar, India. Prior to joining DDE, he served as a postdoctoral research fellow in International Relations at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Turkey. His recent books include Rshid al-Ghannshi: A Key Muslim Thinker of the 21st Century (2018).
Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Democratization and Government
Edited by Larbi Sadiki
Qatar University
This series examines new ways of understanding democratization and government in the Middle East. The varied and uneven processes of change, occurring in the Middle Eastern region, can no longer be read and interpreted solely through the prism of Euro-American transitology. Seeking to frame critical parameters in light of these new horizons, this series instigates reinterpretations of democracy and propagates formerly subaltern, narratives of democratization. Reinvigorating discussion on how Arab and Middle Eastern peoples and societies seek good government, Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Democratization and Government provides tests and contests of old and new assumptions.
27Elites and Arab Politics
New Perspectives on Popular Protest
Ian Kelly
28Good Governance and Civil-Security Relations
A Comparative Study of Egypt and Turkey
Ahmed Abd Rabou
29Islam as Power
Shii Revivalism in the Oeuvre of Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah
Bianka Speidl
30The Tunisian Revolution and Democratic Transition
The Role of al-Nahah
Mohammad Dawood Sofi
31The Egyptian Army and the Muslim Brotherhood
Contemporary Political Power Dynamics
Sara Tonsy
For more information about this series, please visit: https://www.routledge.com/middleeaststudies/series/RSMEDG
First published 2022
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2022 Mohammad Dawood Sofi
The right of Mohammad Dawood Sofi to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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