The use of social media from revolution to democratic consolidation: The Arab Spring and the case of Tunisia

Magdalena Karolak, Zayed UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research

Publication Date

11-1-2017

Abstract

This research assesses social media as a tool of popular mobilization and their role in supporting democratic processes using the case study of Tunisia four years after the revolution. Social media have been widely used during the Arab Spring in the MENA region; yet, their democratizing effects have not been thoroughly researched in countries that have recently undergone democratic transitions. Tunisia offers a unique opportunity to assess whether online democracy initiatives retain their credibility among the citizens and to what point they contribute in promoting and strengthening democracy. The research was conducted using a qualitative method through interviews with Tunisian activists and representatives of NGOs who use the Internet as a tool of democratization. It provides new evidence on the role of the Internet as a democratizing tool and to the potential dangers to political stability that it poses to countries in the process of democratic consolidation.

ISSN

1751-942X

Publisher

Intellect

Volume

10

First Page

199

Last Page

216

Disciplines

Communication | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Scopus ID

85097396445

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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