Gender Politics in Transition

The Development of the Tunisian Field of Gender Politics 2011 -2014

verfasst von: Eva Schmidt

Verlag: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

Buchreihe : Politik und Gesellschaft des Nahen Ostens

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Eva Schmidt analyses how power relations, ideas, and institutions in Tunisian gender politics changed during the democratisation process 2011–2014. Her analysis of gender politics offers a productive lens to understand the course of the Tunisian transition. As gender policies are integral to Tunisian national identity, they became a major battlefield in the fight for political inclusion and exclusion. In this context, liberal and leftist feminists accessed the decision-making institutions and enhanced the existing women’s rights legislation. Yet the intertwinement of modernist nationalism with women’s rights also limited the scope for feminist demands. This book contributes a unique case study to political transitology and advances an original theoretical approach based on Bourdieu’s theory of the political field.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

On 14 January 2011, Tunisia’s long-time dictator Zine El-Abedine Ben Ali fled the country after a month of massive street protests calling for “the downfall of the regime”. The uprising had started in the impoverished interior of the country, after street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi immolated himself to protest the confiscation of his street cart in an event that symbolized the population’s despair and anger over unemployment, corruption and policy brutality. Since Ben Ali’s departure, Tunisia has been steadily treading a path to democracy, despite frequent setbacks and turbulence.

Eva Schmidt

Chapter 2. Theoretical Framework

Abstract

Previous studies of transitional gender politics typically combine social movement theory with larger theories of state (Alvarez 1990) and/or with policy research and historical institutionalism (Waylen 2003, 158; 2007, 46). The first section of this chapter gives an overview of previous approaches used to analyse gender politics during transitions as well as especially pertinent approaches within policy research. It outlines their strengths and limitations in analysing gender politics and policy-making and thereupon suggests resorting to Bourdieu’s field theory to overcome these limitations.

Eva Schmidt

Chapter 3. Methods and Methodology

Abstract

Feminist epistemologists have long criticised the mainstream concept of “objectivity”, which seeks to eliminate the position of the researcher within the research process and presents results as if there was no “I” that generated them. The problem with this concept of objectivity is, first, that a perspective “from nowhere” does not exist and, second, perhaps more importantly, it elevates the particular perspective of the researcher to that of a universal perspective, thus endowing it with the power of speaking the truth. If privileged positions are universalised, relations of dominance are strengthened.

Eva Schmidt

Chapter 4. The Historical Formation of the Political Field

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the historical formation of the Tunisian political field with an emphasis on pre-revolutionary gender politics. It lays the foundation for the subsequent examination of the its legacy on Tunisian gender politics today and also for assessing and drawing conclusions about how gender politics changed in the course of the transitional process. It outlines the historical evolution of gender politics from Tunisia’s independence from French colonial rule in 1957 through the revolution in 2010/2011, with a focus on the most important actors in Tunisian gender politics and their visions of gender relations as well as modes of operation under authoritarian rule.

Eva Schmidt

Chapter 5. The Transitional Process

Abstract

During the Tunisian transitional process, three major forces fought for inclusion in the new political field: the former liberal and leftist opposition, the former Islamic-conservative opposition and former regime members. Gender politics were a crucial site of contention in these struggles. Liberal and leftist as well as conservative and Islamic women’s groups were actively engaged both in gender policy-making and in the struggle to secure “their” groups’ future political participation.

Eva Schmidt

Chapter 6. Conclusion

Abstract

Women’s rights and advancement policies have been part of a conflict between modernisers and Islamic-conservatives that shaped political dynamics in Tunisia since its struggle for independence. The revolution marked a break in this dynamic in that class oppression linked to regional disparities instigated an uprising in which the main conflict became a joint struggle of different opposition factions against the regime. With the Ben Ali regime formally removed from power, Tunisia’s transitional period saw the Islamic-conservative party Ennahdha, the former liberal and leftist opposition parties, as well as representatives of the old regime, all struggle for legitimacy and positioning in the new political field.

Eva Schmidt

Backmatter

Titel: Gender Politics in Transition
verfasst von: Eva Schmidt
Verlag: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-658-28540-1
Print ISBN: 978-3-658-28539-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-28540-1

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Über dieses Buch

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Theoretical Framework

Chapter 3. Methods and Methodology

Chapter 4. The Historical Formation of the Political Field

Chapter 5. The Transitional Process

Chapter 6. Conclusion

Backmatter

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