Civil State in the Post–Arab Spring Countries: Tunisia, Egypt and Libya

Abstract

This chapter studies the different concepts, notions and visions of the civil state in the post–Arab Spring countries of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. It includes analyses of the transformations, changes and challenges to the proper understanding of the term “Dawla Madaniyya” (civil state) in these countries. There have been a number of different interpretations of the term “Civil State” in these countries both during and after the Arab Spring. For example, the anti-regime protestors, regime supporters, liberals, politicians, intellectuals and academics from diverse backgrounds, Islamic scholars (“ulamā”), Islamist activists and tribal shaykhs used this term when framing their demands for the creation of a new political system and social contract. Different parties, groups and individuals from these countries used the term “civil state” (dawla madaniyya), investing it with multiple notions and interests. I seek, therefore, to understand the links and relationship between those governing and the governed, with regard to the use of this term in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. This chapter will consider cultural, social and political factors and contexts, in order to understand the different interpretations of dawla madaniyya (civil state) and to what extent the different factors have contributed to challenges facing the civil state of Arab Spring countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.