"The revolution you haven't heard about"

**PointOfViewGun** · February 06, 2014, 07:01 PM

This came into my radar recently:

Three Cheers for Tunisia's Revolutionary Constitution!

Here's just some of what these brave elected representatives agreed upon in the face of strong pressure from the more extreme factions of their parties:

Guaranteed equality between men and women
A constitutional mandate for environmental protection, only the third country in the world to do so
A declaration that health care is a human right, with preventative care and treatment for every citizen
A democracy with civil laws that respects freedom of religion
An established right to due process and protection from torture

In one stroke, Tunisia's become more democratic than many Western countries have been for years.

It is certainly to see progress in a fundamental way from all the Arab Spring phase. I believe that real progress will come one country at a time with one step at a time. It's not feasible to expect the whole region rise together or in general. If Tunisia is the only country to rise from chaos then it's still a win.

So, is this just a show on paper? Or a real progress? Or too early to tell?

**hellheaven1987** · February 06, 2014, 07:20 PM

Lets hope Tunisia can keep up the progress despite falling economy.

**knight of meh** · February 06, 2014, 07:27 PM

i'm going to early to tell .. lets see if those extreme elements let it go .. if it survives a while that it becomes a basis then it could really go forward and benefit

**hellheaven1987** · February 06, 2014, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by knight of meh

i'm going to early to tell .. lets see if those extreme elements let it go .. if it survives a while that it becomes a basis then it could really go forward and benefit

Assume the economy of Tunisia ever recovers.

**ivan_the_terrible** · February 06, 2014, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by TheSutekh

So, is this just a show on paper? Or a real progress? Or too early to tell?

Theoretically it's too early to tell, but in practice, I think, the reality is almost certainly not going to live up to these aspirations.

Not exactly the same situation, but just for comparison the 1936 Soviet constitution -- drafted up by a committee chaired by Stalin, of course -- was remarkably progressive and democratic on paper. It enacted universal suffrage and secret ballot, guaranteed freedom of religion, and also made provisions for economic and social rights, notably education, healthcare, and employment. Yet no one would say that the USSR under Stalin was "more democratic than many Western countries have been for years."

I'm very sceptical that Tunisia will turn out much better in practice than it currently is.

**Slydessertfox** · February 06, 2014, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by ivan_the_terrible

Theoretically it's too early to tell, but in practice, I think, the reality is almost certainly not going to live up to these aspirations.

Not exactly the same situation, but just for comparison the 1936 Soviet constitution -- drafted up by a committee chaired by Stalin, of course -- was remarkably progressive and democratic on paper. It enacted universal suffrage and secret ballot, guaranteed freedom of religion, and also made provisions for economic and social rights, notably education, healthcare, and employment. Yet no one would say that the USSR under Stalin was "more democratic than many Western countries have been for years."

I'm very sceptical that Tunisia will turn out much better in practice than it currently is.

Because Tunisia is so similar to the Soviet Union in 1936.

**Adar** · February 06, 2014, 08:45 PM

Always nice to see good news and I would love to visit some of their ancient monuments. So far the closest I've been was a wine tasting of Tunisian wine provided by their tourist board.

Originally Posted by Slydessertfox

Because Tunisia is so similar to the Soviet Union in 1936.

So do you think that signing the constitution immediately make Tunisia "more democratic" than nations where democracy has been successfully implemented?

**Slydessertfox** · February 06, 2014, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by Adar

So do you think that signing the constitution immediately make Tunisia "more democratic" than nations where democracy has been successfully implemented?

Not at all.

**hellheaven1987** · February 06, 2014, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Adar

So do you think that signing the constitution immediately make Tunisia "more democratic" than nations where democracy has been successfully implemented?

It really depends whether that constitution would be hold or not; remember that France has been throwing out all kinds of comments/threats/advices/encouragements during past two years for Tunisia to reach today situation.

**Condottiere 40K** · February 06, 2014, 07:38 PM

Too early to tell, and undoubtedly, there will outside forces who'll want to nudge it to be more Sharia friendly.

**hellheaven1987** · February 06, 2014, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Condottiere 40K

there will outside forces who'll want to nudge it to be more Sharia friendly.

Like how there are outsides forces that have been pushing Tunisia to liberal friendly?

**Rijul.J.Ballal** · February 08, 2014, 04:23 AM

If only people had enough foresight to try and cushion the problems of their economy...

**~~John ''True Grit'' Wayne~~** · February 08, 2014, 04:32 AM

Wait till the new spring when the extremist Muslim groups target this country.When they are finished going to Syria to fight Tunisia will be the next battle ground.Wait and see I have seen this in my tea leaves.

Saying and doing are 2 different things gentlemen.The extreme elements are not finished yet.