The supposed price of stability

摘要

For western leaders grimly accustomed to the months-long pummelling of presidential or parliamentary contests, it would be an enviable dream: a campaign lasting just a week or two, featuring no live debates or opinion polls, and pitting a heavyweight incumbent against three Ralph Nader-sized bantams. Better yet, the ruling party is allowed to do things like vet the others' platforms, choose the size of their election posters and tear them down if it does not like them. So Tunisia's president, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, is certain to win a fourth term by a landslidein an election due on October 24th.