The new project "Socioeconomic Protests and Political Transformation: Dynamics of Contentious Politics in Egypt and Tunisia Against the Background of South American Experiences", headed Irene Weipert-Fenner and Jonas Wolff (both Research Department IV), examines the socioeconomic dimension of the ongoing transformation process in Egypt and Tunisia.
Although socioeconomic grievances were among the major forces driving the revolutions and protests continue in both countries, political debates have focused on political institutions, questions of identity and civil-military relations. The new research project aims at filling this gap. In doing so, the dynamics of contentious politics, i.e. the interaction of protest groups and political actors, are studied in this area. A focused analysis of South American countries and their diverse experiences in dealing with political change and socioeconomic contention will serve to inform and orient the in-depth analysis of the Arab cases.
The project is carried out in cooperation with Dr. Amr El Shobaki and Dr. Nadine Abdalle of the Arab Forum for Alternatives, Egypt, and Dr. Amor Boubakri of the University of Sfax, Tunisia.
The Volkswagen Foundation supports the project for three years with 395.400 euros.