A tale of two exceptions: everyday politics of democratic backsliding in Tunisia

ABSTRACT Why do citizens support democratic backsliding through authoritarian populist power grabs? Tunisia has been upheld as the exception in the Arab World for its successful democratization. However, since the declaration of the state of exception by President Kais Said, Tunisia has witnessed deliberate acts of democratic subversion. Polls have been showing overwhelming support for the president despite his actions. Ethnographic evidence in the rural community of Vaga where the “yes” vote for the referendum was 80%, shows that emotional voting, illiberal values, and the paradox of nostalgia and fear can explain the support for Kais Said and his executive aggrandizement efforts. However, the approval is conditional and contested. Citizens in Vaga have not given up on critical democratic practices and democracy.