Tunisia Protests Serve Warning to Autocratic Regimes

Following days of protest in Tunisia that turned violent after security forces shot scores of people, the country’s long-time president Ben Ali has gone in to exile. Facing the fury of the protesters demanding his resignation, President Ben Ali, in power since 1987, promised not to seek re-election in 2014. Instead of pacifying the protesters, his response has further strengthened the demonstrations. High unemployment, rising food prices, wage inequality combined with patterns of nepotism and corruption are a dangerous recipe. Recently leaked diplomatic cables highlighted US State Department concerns about corruption, mismanagement, a lack of accountability of a long-reigning president have proved prescient. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton since said the US would not “take sides,” reports Kristen Chick for the Christian Science Monitor. The official unemployment rate in Tunisia is 13 percent, but as in many other nations, the number actually seeking work could be double that figure. Protests have broken out in other nations struggling with unemployment, including Algeria and Jordan. The dramatic development in Tunisia shows economic injustice and empty promises – with social benefits directed to only a few – can sap the legitimacy of governments. – YaleGlobal