The Power of One: The Tunisian “Revolt,” Neoliberal Economics, and a New Paradigm for Political Action

Tunisia demonstrates that, in politically repressive atmospheres dominated by economic inequality, even “non-political” individual action can ignite a collective struggle for political transformation.

by Maryam Jamshidi

The protests in Tunisia began on December 17, 2010 when fruit seller and university graduate Mohammad Bouazizi lit himself on fire after government officials destroyed his street stall. Twenty-three days later, on January 14, 2011, President Zin El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country as Tunisians celebrated what no other Middle Eastern or North African nation had achieved in decades: the ousting of an autocratic leader through home-grown, popular demonstrations.

That Tunisians single-handedly toppled Ben Ali is, in and of itself, no small success. That this was done in less than a month makes the feat that much more profound. While it remains to be seen whether Tunisia will emerge as a democratic, pluralistic, and prosperous state, the country’s surprising achievements thus far have already brought important insights into the current state of political activism and popular discontent in the region.