The Role of the Rural Dimension in Development Planning Policies

An Approach to the Tunisian Experience

Abstract

Although the economic choices adopted by the Tunisian government after independence contributed to the achievement of several growth indicators and a relative reduction in foreign debt, these policies showed their limits in the medium and long term. The 1980s were a turning point, characterized by a deepening economic and social crisis, particularly in rural areas (higher unemployment, fewer job opportunities, persistent poverty, etc.), which accentuated economic and social insecurity and fuelled the exodus to large coastal cities. By adopting a public policy analysis approach through economic and social development plans from 1992 to 2014, this study has shown that development approaches have failed to meet the aspirations of rural areas efficiently, either in terms of employment or in terms of justice in the distribution of resources. In this context, rural development programs (in particular those between 1973 and 1982) were evaluated, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. In addition to analyzing official documents, a field survey was carried out during February and March 2024, with the aim of assessing the cumulative impact of development policies in rural Tunisia. Around one hundred participants from various socio-geographical backgrounds, with marked rural characters, were interviewed in the delegations of Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, Kasserine, Gafsa, Siliana, and Jendouba. This fieldwork provided a relevant critical framework, allowing on the one hand an evaluative reading of previous policies, and on the other, to envision the possibilities of reintegrating the countryside into more inclusive and equitable development pathways.