Tunisia
Pre-Arab Spring
Tunisia is a Northern African country between Algeria and Libya. It borders the Mediterranean Sea. The location of this country plays a crucial role in Arab Spring, and to where the protests spread.
Before the revolutions and protests that occurred during Arab Spring, most governments of Middle Eastern and Northern African countries were corrupt and authoritarian. Citizens had very little say about hoe their home was governed. The employment rate in Tunisia and many other countries was extremely low. Working and living conditions were horrible and many people lived on $2 a day. The government told employers not to hire ex-prisoners and ordered many other legal restrictions that made it difficult to find work or re-enter society after imprisonment. The authoritarian rulers of these countries had control over media, religion, jobs, and all other aspects of society.
Before the revolutions and protests that occurred during Arab Spring, most governments of Middle Eastern and Northern African countries were corrupt and authoritarian. Citizens had very little say about hoe their home was governed. The employment rate in Tunisia and many other countries was extremely low. Working and living conditions were horrible and many people lived on $2 a day. The government told employers not to hire ex-prisoners and ordered many other legal restrictions that made it difficult to find work or re-enter society after imprisonment. The authoritarian rulers of these countries had control over media, religion, jobs, and all other aspects of society.
Many leaders of these governments had stayed in power for decades. Instead of free elections, people were born into leadership. Most of the Tunisian population were unregistered voters. Since many of these dictators refused to step down form power, political corruption and economic failure resulted. The current president of Tunisia during the start of Arab Spring , Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was doing little to stabilize the economy or employment levels. Tension grew in Tunisia and other Northern African and Middle Eastern countries as the governments continued to neglect their people.
For more information on the protests in Tunisia that started Arab Spring click the link below!