When the governments in Tunisia and Libya fell, there was a great deal of optimism for the Arab Spring. Since then the two countries have gone in very different directions. Libya is becoming increasingly anarchic, while Tunisia is still maintaining its democratic path, albeit with some bumps along the road. Part of the reason is the nature of the pre-revolutionary political systems. Tunisia under Ben Ali’s rule had a little more civil society and politics were less radical. However in Libya, Qaddafi had reinforced tribal and regional divisions. Another reason is the way in which the transition took place. Tunisia’s transition was relatively non-violent, while Libya endured a brief civil war. The result in Libya was the creation of militias and military factions. They remain armed and do not want to give up their power.
Libya’s government holed up in a 1970s hotel: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29603393
Tunisia’s Ennahda and Ettakattol women MPs celebrate: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-25916831
Tunisian Islamists hire US lobby shop http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/09/tunisia-islamist-lobbyists-burston-marsteller-ennahda.html
IR Theory & Practice 