I began reading this post at RealClearWorld in the hope of gaining insight into what has happened in Tunisia subsequent to the “Arab Spring” of 2010. In reading it I was struck by how closely the author’s observations apply to the United States, particularly Illinois and Chicago. For example, from the opening:
Disappointment surrounding Tunisia’s democratic transition abounds in the country, and the volatile economy adds a degree of difficulty to politicians’ agendas. Economic development is always a long and arduous process, but the current strategy is clearly inadequate. Tunisians call on the government to do more to pull the economy out of stagnation by increasing public investment, providing jobs, and undertaking infrastructure projects. At the same time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union (EU) insist the Tunisian government pull back government subsidies and increase taxes. Tunisia must balance the need to provide economic opportunity and governmental services against the demands of the IMF. The solution is not in pursuing economic reforms alone, but also political reforms that supplement and support a healthy economy. Increased transparency, accountability, and good governance are essential in improving the economy and satisfying the population’s desire for jobs, technology, and opportunities.
All of the basic factors are there: phlegmatic growth, popular dissatisfaction, flagging investment, and debt problems. Or this about education
Tunisia must review its current model of development, which has not been adjusted to account for social change since the 1980s. The existing model is based on cheap labor in most sectors, especially in manufactured goods and tourism. Due to demographic changes and headwinds of development in technology, innovation, and education, this approach has proved to be non-commensurate. Skilled jobs were not created at the same pace that the educational system churned out skilled workers. The outdated model of development does not perform to the satisfaction of a large number of citizens, the majority of which are university graduates who find the current job market unsuitable for their level of expertise.
I continue to think that higher education is primarily a con. A clerk’s job that requires a college education is still a clerk’s job. Jobs that need college educations are growing much more slowly than jobs that require college educations. Tunisia’s credit rating is suffering, too:
Since the 2014 presidential and parliamentary elections, the GDP of Tunisia has decreased by twelve percent, dropping from $47.6 billion to its current level of $41.6. At the same time, the debt-to-GDP ratio reached 61 percent in 2016. Moody’s Investor Service recently downgraded Tunisia’s credit rating to levels on par with countries like Nigeria and Cameroon, further deterring creditors from lending to Tunisia.
Corruption and inaction in government are having effects on Tunisians’ confidence in government:
Municipal elections are scheduled for early May, but much of the population has grown apathetic and doubtful that political engagement yields real change. This is especially true among youth. A recent survey conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) found that 40 percent of Tunisians reported that they are unlikely to vote in the upcoming municipal election, and “lack of hope†was cited as the largest obstacle to youth participation in politics. However, the same survey found over 50 percent of Tunisians also believe that local and regional councils will improve the economy in regions where they possess the power to decide how money is spent. Tunisians, therefore, believe in the potential of local governance in the case that local authorities are given power that they exercise fairly. Therefore, a potential political reform to fight lack of morale and increase confidence in the government, which will in turn revitalize the economy, is decentralization.
Participation in elections is dwindling here, too.
And, oh yes. Tunisia is experiencing heavy outmigration. So is Illinois and Chicago is the largest city in the U. S. experiencing a net decline in population.
I was born in the United States and have lived here nearly all of my life. When did it become a Third World country?
You, meaning you, keep voting for socialists. And you’ve succeeded in getting a socialist state.
With a few exceptions, socialism always produces poverty and tyranny. (Read Hayek on the impossibility of socialist economics.) The exceptions used to be (but now aren’t) the Scandinavian countries that were (but now aren’t) racially pure. Socialism works in racially pure societies because the social divisions and animosities produced by diverse populations do not exist. Heartiste: “Diversity + Proximity = War.” Consider also the Diversity Bridge at FIU.
You, meaning you singular, do too. 99.9% of the candidates running for office are socialists. A non-socialist hasn’t been elected to a major political office in the U. S. in living memory so you don’t have any other alternative other than not voting at all. Any tax other than a head tax is redistributive and, consequently, socialist. The U. S. could not support its large standing army with a head tax.