Regime Security Versus Human Security: The Case of Uprisings in Kyrgyzstan and Tunisia, 2010

Abstract

This thesis attempts to explain the logic behind uprisings that took place in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tunisia in 2010. A spark of the uprisings was unexpected for many people in the two countries and neighboring states due to the strong authoritarian regimes incorporated to the political systems of Kyrgyzstan and Tunisia. This study argues that a contradiction between two security domains, regime security and human security, which led to increasing public frustration prior to the uprisings, created a contestation between a majority of citizens and ruling elites in both countries. As a result, this prepared a strong condition for the revolts to erupt. However, the uprisings occurred for the reason that this condition was strengthened by some weaknesses of the ruling elites, triggers of the events and active participation of mobilization actors. This research, firstly, explores regime security and, secondly, human security prior to the uprisings. Following this, other factors will be analyzed that made a clash between regime security and human security result in the uprisings and were driving forces behind social unrest during the events.