The Politics of Egypt: State-Society Relationship

ISBN-13: 9780700716104 / Angielski / Twarda / 2002 / 328 str.

Ninette S. Fahmy;Ninette S. Fahmy

Opis

This book addresses two important matters of current concern to Middle East scholars: firstly, the nature of the Egyptian state and society and the interactive process between them and secondly, how change, which would finally lead to development, can be initiated. The book argues that the Egyptian case represents a weak authoritarian state, which through its coercive and repressive policies towards various societal forces, political parties, professional associations and organisations and individuals, creates a weak society. Individual behaviour in urban and rural communities, sometimes viewed as signs of the strength of societal forces, is seen here as a symptom of a weak and fragmented society. The existence of a weak society in turn impedes government objectives and hinders the implementation of developmental policies and programmes, further weakening the state. This being the case, change has to be initiated externally in both the political and economic spheres.

Spis treści

1. Theories of State and Society 2. The Historical Relationship between the State and the Peasants 3. The Constitutional and Legal System in Egypt and the Change to a Multi-Party System 4. Political Parties in Egypt 5. Egyptian Professional Associations 6. Labour and Business Organisations 7. The Local System in Egypt: A Blocked Avenue for Participation and Representation 8. The State, Peasant Politics and Development: The Inherent Dilemma 9. Tihna al-Gabal: A Case Study of a Village in Upper Egypt 10. Conclusion

O autorze

Dr Ninette Fahmy is a lecturer of Public Administration and Local Government at Sadat Academy for Management Sciences, and has taught Middle East politics in several other universities in Cairo as well as at the University of Exeter. She was Winner of the 2000/2001 Fulbright teaching and research award. Her current research interest is on the human rights of minority groups in the Middle East. She has published widely in both English and Arabic.