Can political Islam be a constructive player in a truly democratic system?

Tunisia is currently trying to answer that question — with implications that extend to the entire Arab world. Indeed, given that no Islamist party has ever governed democratically in an Arab country, Tunisia (together with Egypt) is undertaking an historic experiment.

Several factors improve Tunisia's chances of achieving a successful democratic transition. There is, for example, the country's large and educated middle class and the historical moderation of Ez-Zitouna University, one of the oldest universities of Islamic theology. Moreover, an influential part of Tunisia's ruling party, Ennahda, developed democratic inclinations during its members' long European exile.