The Impact of Democratization on “FDI” in Tunisia-A Comparison of Pre and Post Revolution Periods

Authors

  • Marouen Hadhri Department of economics, University of Corsica, UMR LISA 6240, Corsica, 20250, France

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jbar.v3i4.2089

Abstract

The study examined the impact of democratization on foreign direct investment in Tunisia and has done a comparison of the pre and post revolution periods. The paper has used secondary data for the variables GDP per capita, FDI, Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), Current health expenditure (% of GDP) for the period 2001-2018. The study aims to provide arguments of the favorable political conditions for FDI, the purpose is to understand; whether, democracy and autocracy attract FDI in the Pre and Post-event of revolution in Tunisia. In addition, this investigation discusses the key elements for path dependency in democratic transitions from autocracy to democracy. The study found that there is a correlation between the adoption of a democratic regime and the FDI evolution. A democratic regime creates the right political circumstances to improve macroeconomic performance. It can stimulate growth if it is conducted in a stable political environment.

Keywords:

Democratic transition, FDI, Dictatorship, Tunisian revolution

References

[1] Johnchalla. Difference Between Democratic and Non-Democratic Government, 2017. https://johnchalla.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/difference-between-democratic-and-non-democratic-government/amp/

[2] Grewal, S. Tunisian democracy at a crossroads. Brookings Institute Briefing, 2019, 8. Accessed at: https://www. brookings. edu/research/tunisian-democracy-at-a-crossroads/on

[3] Mansouri, F., Armillei, R. The democratic “transition in post-revolution Tunisia: conditions for successful consolidation and future prospects”. Revolutions: global trends & regional issues, 2016, 4(1): 156-181

[4] Derbali, A., Trabelsi Masmoudi, L., Zitouna, H. Democratic transition and foreign direct investment: Transition process matters, 2015.

[5] Kaboub, F. The making of the Tunisian Revolution. Middle East Development Journal, 2013, 5(01): 1350003.

[6] Schafer, I The Tunisian transition: torn between democratic consolidation and neo-conservatism in an insecure regional context. Barcelona: European Institute of the Mediterranean, 2015.

[7] Derbali, A., Trabelsi Masmoudi, L., Zitouna, H. Democratic transition and foreign direct investment: Transition process matters, 2015.

[8] US Dept of State. 2019 Investment Climate Statement Tunisia, 2019. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-investment-climate-statements/tunisia/

[9] Laurel E. Miller, J. M. Democratization in Arab World; Prospects and Lessons from Around the Globe. RAND (National Defense Research Institute). 2012. Retrieved 03 10, 2020, from: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2012/RAND_MG1192.pdf

[10] Bass, H. H. Foreign direct investment in Tunisia: Performance, policies, prospects. International Business and Global Economy, 2015, 34(1): 34-49.

[11] Rachdi, H., Saidi, H. Democracy and economic growth: Evidence in MENA countries. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, 191: 616-621.

[12] Siddique, H. M. A., Ansar, R., Naeem, M. M., Yaqoob, S. Impact of FDI on economic growth: Evidence from Pakistan. Bulletin of Business and Economics, 2017, 6(3): 111-116.

[13] Hassan,S., O. Anis. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and economic growth: An Approach in Terms of Cointegration for the Case of Tunisia. Journal of Applied Finance and Banking, 2012, 2(4): 193-207

[14] Mekki R. The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Trade: Evidence from Tunisia’s Trade. (In Motamen-Samadian S. (eds) Capital Flows and Foreign Direct Investments in Emerging Markets. Centre for the Study of Emerging Markets Series. ed.). London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230597969_7

[15] Jean Lacroixa, P.-G. M. Do democratic transitions attract foreign investors and how fast? Working Papers CEB 17-006, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2017. Retrieved 03 10, 2020, from https://ideas.repec.org/p/sol/wpaper/2013-246943. html

[16] Rachdi, H., Saidi, H. Democracy and economic growth: Evidence in MENA countries. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015, 191: 616-621.

[17] Jensen, N. M. Democratic governance and multinational corporations: Political regimes and inflows of foreign direct investment. International organization, 2003, 57(3): 587-616.

[18] Li, Resnick. Reversal of fortunes: Democratic institutions and foreign direct investment inflows to developing countries. International organization, 2003, 57(1): 175-211.

[19] Harms, P., Ursprung. Do civil and political repression really boost foreign direct investments? Economic Inquiry, 2002, 40(4): 651-663.

[20] Rodrik, D. Democracies pay higher wages. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 1999, 114(3): 707- 738.

[21] O’Donnell, S. The contribution of foreign subsidiaries to host country national competitiveness. Journal of International Management, 1999, 5(3): 187-206.

[22] Pandya, S. S. Democratization and foreign direct investment liberalization, 1970–2000. International Studies Quarterly, 2014, 58(3): 475-488.

[23] Grosjean, P. The institutional legacy of the Ottoman Empire: Islamic rule and financial development in South-Eastern Europe. Journal of Comparative Economics, 2011, 39(1): 1-16.

[24] Rode, M., Gwartney. Does democratization facilitate economic liberalization? European Journal of Political Economy, 2012, 28(4): 607-619.

[25] Giuliano, P. et. al. The transmission of democracy: from the village to the nation-state (No. w18722). National Bureau of Economic Research, 2013.

[26] Bjørnskov, C., Rode. Democratic Transitions and Institutional Change: What’s Behind the Association? 2014. Available at SSRN 2440733.

[27] Aidt, T. S. Do autocratic states trade less? The World Bank Economic Review, 2010, 24(1): 38-76.

[28] Henisz, W. J. Firm-and country-level trade-offs and contingencies in the evaluation of foreign investment: The semiconductor industry, 1994–2002. Organization Science, 2004, 15(5): 537-554.

[29] Przeworski, A., Limongi. Political regimes and economic growth. Journal of economic perspectives, 1993, 7(3): 51-69.

[30] Alesina, Alberto, Dani Rodrik. Distributive Politics and Economic Growth. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 1994, 109(May): 465-90

[31] Persson, Tabellini. Representative democracy and capital taxation. Journal of Public Economics, 1994, 55(1): 53-70.

[32] Acemoglu, Robinson. A theory of political transitions. American Economic Review, 2001, 91(1): 938- 963

[33] Dutt, Mobarak. Democracy and policy stability. International Review of Economics & Finance, 2001, 42: 499-517.

[34] Adsera, A. B. Are you being served? Political accountability and quality of government. The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, 2003, 19(2): 445-490.

[35] Besley, Timothy J., Ghatak, Maitreesh, Property Rights and Economic Development. CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP7243, 2009. Available at: SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1372563

[36] Achy, L. Tunisia’s Economic Challenges. Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 2011, 2011: 1-28. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lahcen_Achy/ publication/265445378_TUNISIA’S_ECONOMIC_ CHALLENGES/links/553d29ca0cf2c415bb0f5953/ TUNISIAS-ECONOMIC-CHALLENGES.pdf

Downloads

Issue

Article Type

Reviews