In lieu of a proper analysis, forthcoming, here are some more materials for those following the Tunisian revolution. First, read
Juan Cole: "it would be wrong to see the revolution only as a middle class movement against corruption and nepotism, fueled by facebook status updates and youth activism. The
trade unions (al-niqabat) played an essential role, and were among those demanding the departure of the president. You don’t get massive crowds like the one in Tunis without a lot of workers joining in. There are few labor correspondents any longer, and the press downplays the role of workers as a result of neither having good sources among them nor an adequate understanding of the importance of labor mobilization. It is no accident that on Wednesday the head of the Communist workers movement was arrested (he has been released)." Then, for more background background, see MERIP's country report on the origins of the Ben Ali dictatorship
here.
Hossam el-Hamalawy provides a plethora of links and material on his blog, and via
Twitter. And for regular updates and analysis, see the
Angry Arab and Brian Whitaker's
blog.
Labels: communism, dictatorship, islamism, revolution, trade unions, tunisia, US imperialism, working class