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Article
The use of social media from revolution to democratic consolidation: The Arab Spring and the case of Tunisia
Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research
  • Magdalena Karolak, Zayed University
Document Type
Article
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.

Publisher
Intellect
Scopus ID
85097396445
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
No
https://doi.org/10.1386/jammr.10.2.199_1
Citation Information
Magdalena Karolak. "The use of social media from revolution to democratic consolidation: The Arab Spring and the case of Tunisia" Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research Vol. 10 (2017) p. 199 - 216 ISSN: <a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/1751-942X" target="_blank">1751-942X</a>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/magdalena-karolak/5/