Democratization and the Islamist Challenge in the Arab World by Najib Ghadbian

Author:Najib Ghadbian [Ghadbian, Najib]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Middle Eastern, Social Science, Political Science, World, Regional Studies
ISBN: 9780429720956
Google: iNmiDwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 2302201
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 1997-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

Part Three

The Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion: Two Case Studies

5

Egypt: Coercion and Containment

Democratization in Egypt has fluctuated over the past two decades with the regime's efforts to contain the Islamist challenge. Since the mid-1970s, Islamists have been the most popular force opposing the ruling order. Islamists have used the modest increases in the margin of freedom granted by the regime and its occasional tolerance toward the moderate element of the Islamic movement to make gains. The regime, on its part, has been determined to exclude Islamists from political participation. Exclusion has been accomplished by a combination of coercion and containment. That is, the state uses its repressive apparatus to try to eradicate radical Islamists while allowing mainstream Islamists to function, but within constraints that preclude their political participation. The policy of excluding Islamists has led those who rule Egypt to retreat from democratization. This is more than just a move by a ruling group to preserve its privilege and keep one more group of contenders away from power. In the policies of the Egyptian government toward Islamists there is an outraged objection to the very idea of an "Islamic solution" that seems to brook no compromise. This points to sharp disagreement over the contours of collective identity.

The socioeconomic context for this conflict is that Egypt has poor resources and a huge population. The tiny ruling strata holds tightly to these limited resources. Meanwhile, the Islamist crowds are beating at the door demanding their share. The international context further exacerbates the divide. Because Egypt is not a marginal Arab state but a key ally for the United States and European powers, these powers lend their weight to make sure the ruling group stays in control. All these factors further polarize the conflict over who is to be included or excluded in the political process in Egypt. These factors shape the politics of democratization in Egypt.

How do democratic development and the rise of Islamists intersect in Egypt? How did Egypt arrive at the stalemate of the 1990s which has produced such violent political confrontation in that country? Is there any solid ground upon which democratization in Egypt could develop?

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