The End of Neoliberalism? An Institutional Analysis of the Arab Uprisings

The 1980s economic crises in Egypt and Tunisia ushered in the neoliberal economic austerity era, rampant corruption, increased inequality, and socio-economic exclusion. At the same time, it also built a multi-billion-dollar business empire for the elite class connected to the presidential palace. The increasingly arrogant and violent oppression by the state security apparatus ultimately sparked the revolutionary slogans demanding "freedom, jobs, and dignity." This paper argues that little progress has been made to satisfy those demands because the transition governments (and opposition parties) have failed to put forward an alternative economic program to remedy the negative economic consequences of neoliberalism. Focusing exclusively on Tunisia and Egypt, this paper uncovers the neoliberal roots of economic inequality and socio-economic exclusion that have led to the uprisings. It further suggests that the original institutionalist theory of institutional adjustment provides the most adequate framework for achieving the ultimate goals of the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings. Finally, this paper concludes by outlining the institutional prerequisites for a successful transition to a post-neoliberal system in Tunisia and Egypt.