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This chapter examines the causes of the uprising, addressing the concentration of power in the hands of the president, the violence unleashed by security forces under the cover of the State of Emergency, and the deepening economic inequality, social injustice, and corruption, which culminated in the deeply fraudulent National Assembly election in 2010. The chapter then examines the multiple modes of opposition, including political mobilization and street protests by concerned citizens, strikes and sit-ins by workers, and cyber-launched efforts to enhance awareness of state repression and corruption. The mass protests that began on January 25, 2011, are seen in the context of deepening public anger at the ruling regime, which erupted into the calls for bread, dignity, freedom, and social justice.

This chapter looks at the emergence of the English Defence league and other affiliated groups of ‘counter Jihad’ street protesters. Focusing specifically on the challenges inherent in facilitating the right to protest while policing such volatile events, it seeks to consider how in policy and practice it is possible to police the street level activities of the new Far-Right. It examines the two competing methods employed in policing of the EDL in the UK, the strengths and limitations of these responses, and the inherent complexities in praxis of policing such volatile and emotive events.

Scholars of the MENA region have been keener on theorizing authoritarian resilience and regime durability than on understanding the potential implications of latent forms of resistance. Although these forms of resistance often manifested themselves on a political sphere that was not part of the overall experience of ordinary people, they were important in shaping popular consciousness. Focusing on offline activism, this chapter highlights the various challenges the Tunisian regime faced, pinpoints cracks in the system, and underscores people’s growing disposition to question the system. It focuses on a range of contestatory dynamics and militant actions by new and traditional social forces, professional groups, civil society actors, union activists, and political players. Their attempts to voice discontent, seek redress of grievances, and advocate change helped foster a pointed political consciousness, expose the authoritarian nature of the regime, shake off the ingrained culture of fear, and accentuate the crisis of authority that culminated in the popular uprising in Tunisia. These forms of resistance also helped bridge the gap between conventional political activism and digital contestation, thus creating a closer affinity between offline groups and online communities.