Unemployment and Resistance in Tunisia: The Democracy-Security Nexus

Saerom Han's book explores the relationship between democratization and securitization in Tunisia, arguing that dominant counter-terrorism practices served as a governing mechanism for a neoliberal modality of democracy by managing problematic actors such as unemployed protesters. It also discusses how the protesters reproduced and challenged the ways they were securitized, complicating the relationship between domination and resistance in post-2011 Tunisia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Saerom Han delves into the intricate dynamics of Tunisian democratization, shedding light on the compelling connection between unemployed protesters and the so-called "War on Terror" within the framework of liberal democracy. This groundbreaking work stands as the inaugural exploration into the intricate relationship between democratization and securitization in Tunisia. Moreover, it presents a fresh perspective on socioeconomic protests, offering insights into their rationalities and techniques that can both sustain and challenge the neoliberal regime of power.

Through meticulous field research and a Foucauldian lens, Han contextualizes the democracy-security nexus within the framework of the neoliberal regime. He reveals that dominant counter-terrorism practices, rather than posing a threat to democracy, played a crucial role in governing a neoliberal mode of democracy by effectively managing problematic actors, such as unemployed protesters who fervently demanded radical transformations in political and economic systems.

Furthermore, this book delves into the protesters' reproduction and simultaneous challenge of their securitization, intricately complicating the interplay between domination and resistance in post-2011 Tunisia. By examining these complex dynamics, Han provides a profound reassessment of the country's democratic transition, shedding light on the intricate interplay between security, resistance, and the pursuit of social justice. This thought-provoking work is a valuable contribution to the study of democratization, security, and socioeconomic protests, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics shaping contemporary societies.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399507080