The Role of the International Community in Supporting Tunisia’s Post-2011 Economic Transition

Why did the international community fail to effectively support economic reform in Tunisia during the country’s decade-long attempt to transition from authoritarianism? This article examines political factors that undermined such support between 2011 and 2021, particularly from the United States and international financial institutions. Progress was largely hampered by a combination of scarce resources and deliberate decisions by international donors, such as an unwillingness to prioritize economic reform. Donors also lacked appropriate tools for advancing economic reform in Tunisia’s specific transitional context. These findings suggest that donors should refine policies for supporting transition countries by prioritizing long-term economic goals while also adapting to local concerns... 

Read the full article on the Journal of International Affairs website.