Tunisia’s Autocratic Drift: How Global Forces Shape Local Power

The Entanglement of Power Dynamics

In a bid to combat terrorism financing and counterterrorism efforts, Tunisia has become increasingly entangled in global policing processes. A new study reveals how this entanglement has contributed to the country’s autocratic drift, solidifying the grip of the ruling elite and reinforcing repressive security practices.

According to Dr. [Author], a leading expert on political sociology, the concept of “entanglements” best captures the complex relationships between local and global forces in Tunisia. This concept acknowledges the postcolonial legacy that continues to shape present-day practices, while also recognizing the co-constitutive nature of power dynamics.

Extraversion and Dependence

The study found that Tunisia’s security apparatus has become increasingly dependent on external resources and authority, exemplifying the concept of “extraversion.” This dependence has led to a negotiated dependency relationship with global powers, allowing ruling elites to appropriate resources and authority to increase their wealth and power at home.

Collusive Transactions

Collusions between fields of professionals in governance and coercive bureaucracies have emerged, legitimizing each other’s practices and reinforcing repressive power. These collusive transactions involve mutual recognition of interests among actors, even when there is no immediate reciprocity.

Reproduction of Coercive Power

The study highlights how these global entanglements have contributed to the reproduction of coercive power in Tunisia, particularly through:

• Formalization of security practices
• Growing criminalization of the informal economy
• Increasing use of financial intelligence and risk assessment logics leading to greater reliance on preemptive measures

Implications for Policymakers and Scholars

The study’s findings have significant implications for policymakers and scholars alike, highlighting the need to rethink approaches to:

• Security
• Governance
• Development in the region

Key Findings

• Tunisia’s security apparatus has become increasingly dependent on external resources and authority. • Collusions between fields of professionals in governance and coercive bureaucracies have emerged, legitimizing each other’s practices. • Global entanglements have contributed to the reproduction of coercive power in Tunisia, particularly through formalization of security practices and criminalization of the informal economy.

Implications

• Rethink approaches to security, governance, and development in postcolonial contexts like Tunisia.
• Recognize the co-constitutive nature of power dynamics between local and global forces.
• Understand the role of extraversion and collusions in shaping repressive power structures.