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Colgate University

Publication Date

Spring 2013

Program Name

Tunisia: Emerging Identities in North Africa

Abstract

In the wake of the Tunisian Revolution, young people in Tunisia have become very interested in politics. For some young people, this excitement has resulted in positive feelings about voting. For others, voting is not seen as an effective way to express political agency. This paper will analyze field research conducted by the author with young Tunisians in order to better understand Tunisian youth attitudes towards voting, and explore various interpretations of political agency. This paper will ask the fundamental questions: why didn’t revolutionary activism translate to voting for more young Tunisians, especially as they continue to express interest in politics in general? Why do some youth seem to have “given up” on the effectiveness of voting? If some young Tunisians do not find political agency in voting, what can be done to counter this? What does it mean for Tunisian youth, and Tunisia as a whole, if youth are losing interest in the democratic process?

Disciplines

Critical and Cultural Studies | Family, Life Course, and Society | Inequality and Stratification | Peace and Conflict Studies | Politics and Social Change | Regional Sociology | Social Influence and Political Communication

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