The surge of populism that led to stunning political upsets in 2016 signals a deep distrust of institutions such as governments and media. Inequality has never been so strong—according to a recent Oxfam report, the world’s eight richest men possess wealth equal to that of half of the global population. Public anger and its political consequences are apparent worldwide.
In this context, Tunisia’s nascent democracy and fight against regional inequality provide an instructive case study of how empowered civil society can play a crucial role in holding government accountable.