Abstract

This study investigates how and why Tunisia’s 2014 Constitution describes the nation as both an Islamic and civil state, and what effect this duality has on the philosophies and practicalities of Tunisian governance. When interviewed, former state officials (employees of government ministries or national companies) firmly defend Tunisia’s secular nature and equal treatment of all religions, while also recognizing the influence and favor of Islam in Tunisian public life and policy. In an effort to reconcile the discrepancy between Tunisia’s proclamations of secularism and the prevalence of Islam in its public sphere, this thesis considers three key explanations: the entrenchment of compromise in Tunisian culture, the benefit of secular and religious titles to Tunisian trade and diplomacy, and the power of word association.

Presenters

Keiko Cooper Hohn
Student, Master of Theological Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Tennessee, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

The Politics of Religion

KEYWORDS

Tunisia, Constitutional Law, Secularism, Political Islam, Transitional Justice, Economic Relations

Digital Media

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