Tunisian Civil Society Networks and Policy Outcomes

Civil society is considered a driver of the political transition process in Tunisia. But how do civil society actors succeed in being heard by policy-makers? This paper takes a network perspective as used in social movement studies to analyse social movement coalitions and their influence in Tunisian politics by comparing four civil society organisations. The research question is the following: How do coalitions influence the possibilities to shape policy processes in post-2011 Tunisia? I argue that networks or movement coalitions enable these actors to influence policy processes, such as the promotion of individual freedoms. The paper builds on recent trends in social movement literature to combine movement outcomes with coalitions and networks. It also links movements to the state through public policy. Relying on semi-structured interviews conducted with civil society organisations between 2015 and 2016 and with state representatives working in Tunisian ministries, the paper argues that certain outcomes can only be ensured by building large movement coalitions, while some topics can be addressed by individual organisations. While scholars already argued years ago that movements may have little influence, or some influence, I argue in line with recent research that coalitions matter and can finally explain why some organisations are heard. Tunisian civil society coalition can influence policy-makers through mechanisms such as relays (e.g. former members in ministries), public opinion and/or mobilisation, as well as institutionalised regular interaction with ministries.