In the vast field of political culture on the one hand and public participation, respectively democratisation, on the other hand I will start by limiting the field of my study by defining its aims. My first guiding thesis is that there is a cleavage between state and society in Egypt and I want to show some aspects and dimensions of its present status and its historical origins. The two central fields of my study will be firstly the actual secular state practice and its ideological origins and secondly Islam, its influence in Egyptian society, and its compatibility to liberal trends, the concept of civil society or democracy in general.
To look at public participation in any state is an ambitious task, for the field of participation is broad and hard to measure. I will deal with political public participation. Public participation can be limited to social groups, like syndicates. By aims I am referring to the fact that different groups have different participatory intentions. This aspect becomes more interesting when looking at Islamist groups.
Looking at public participation is at the same time looking at democratic processes and political culture of the society being analysed. This includes regarding in what way the preconditions for political participation are provided: Freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of press and last but not least education. Political culture includes as well many cultural aspects of the society analysed, here Islam comes in as a religion as well as a theoretical system for a society respectively a state. All those being components of political culture, the basic research questions are consequently: What is public participation, or rather what will be the definition I will base my study on? What are the components of Egyptian political culture? What definition of civil society is adequate for Egypt? Is civil society only a term employed by “Western” scientists based on “Western” concepts and developments and thus not appropriate to describe Egyptian society?
The second central thesis of my study is that Egypt, still an authoritarian state, has begun a process of liberalisation to provide the possibility of political participation to its people. The aim of my research is to investigate how far this liberalisation went until today and what consequences this process has for Egyptian society. Thus the question of legitimacy will be a central one.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Historical Introduction
- 2.1. Development of participatory institutions in Egyptian history before the revolution of the free officers
- 2.2. Egypt after the revolution of the free officers
- 3. The state and power structure
- 3.1. Executive: The Presidency and his cabinet
- 3.2. Legislative: The People's Assembly and The Shura Council
- 3.3. Judiciary
- 4. Preconditions for Public Participation
- 4.1. Education, Literacy, with special regard to the status of women in Egypt
- 4.2. Freedom of expression and press state repression
- 5. Effectiveness of institutionalised forms of participation
- 5.1. Definition of basic concepts
- 5.2. Empiric Data on voter's turnout
- 5.3. The electoral process of the People's Assembly and the party system
- 5.4. The party system
- 5.5. Assessment of constitutional forms of participation
- 6. Islam and Civil Society in Egypt
- 6.1. Definition of basic concepts
- 6.2. Islam: development of political ideas and relation of state and religion
- 6.3. Islam and development of democratic ideas in Egypt
- 6.4. Principles of Democracy and Islam
- 6.5. Islam and Civil Society: The Muslim Brotherhood
- 6.6. Woman, Islam and Civil Society in Egypt
- 6.7. Militant Islamist groups and Government Repression
- 6.8. Civil Society in Egypt
- 7. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper aims to investigate the relationship between political culture, Islam, and public participation in modern Egypt. It explores the historical development of participatory institutions, analyzes the current state and power structure, and examines the preconditions for public participation within the context of Egyptian society. The paper also investigates the role of Islam and civil society in shaping political participation and the ongoing process of democratization (or lack thereof) in Egypt.
- The historical development of participatory institutions in Egypt.
- The current state and power structure in Egypt and its impact on public participation.
- Preconditions for public participation, including education, freedom of expression, and the role of women.
- The influence of Islam on Egyptian political culture and civil society.
- The effectiveness of institutionalized forms of participation, such as elections and the party system.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the research paper by defining its aims and scope. It establishes a central thesis concerning the cleavage between the state and society in Egypt, highlighting the interplay between secular state practice and the influence of Islam on political culture and democratic processes. The chapter also outlines the different forms, levels, and aims of political participation that will be examined, and introduces the concept of the legitimacy of the Egyptian government and the ongoing process of liberalization. It finally introduces the methodology used, emphasizing a historically descriptive approach.
2. Historical Introduction: This chapter delves into the historical development of participatory institutions in Egypt, examining two key periods. The first part focuses on the national movement following French colonial rule, highlighting the emergence of popular movements, the role of religious leaders, and the attempts at modernization under Muhammad Ali, including his establishment of a consultative council. The second part briefly addresses the period after the Free Officers' revolution, laying groundwork for further analysis in subsequent chapters. The significance of this chapter lies in its demonstration of the long-standing tension between secular and religious influences and the evolving nature of participatory structures in Egypt.
3. The state and power structure: This chapter provides an overview of the structure of the Egyptian state, examining the powers and functions of the executive (Presidency and Cabinet), legislative (People's Assembly and Shura Council), and judicial branches. By analyzing the distribution of power within these institutions, the chapter contributes to a broader understanding of the institutional framework for political participation. It serves as a crucial foundation for subsequent analysis of the effectiveness of institutionalized forms of participation.
4. Preconditions for Public Participation: This chapter analyzes the preconditions for public participation in Egypt, focusing on two critical elements: education and literacy, with particular attention to the status of women, and freedom of expression and press, including state repression. The chapter explores how these factors shape the ability of citizens to participate meaningfully in political life. This lays the groundwork for understanding the limitations and possibilities of public engagement, linking them directly to existing social and political dynamics.
5. Effectiveness of institutionalised forms of participation: This chapter assesses the effectiveness of institutionalized forms of participation in Egypt. It examines voter turnout, the electoral process for the People's Assembly, the party system, and the overall assessment of the constitutional framework for participation. The chapter critically analyzes how well the existing structures facilitate citizen influence on the decision-making process. The detailed examination of empirical data (voter turnout, electoral systems) provides a concrete basis for evaluating the efficacy of these mechanisms.
6. Islam and Civil Society in Egypt: This chapter explores the complex relationship between Islam, civil society, and political participation in Egypt. It delves into the definitions of these key concepts within the Egyptian context, examining the historical development of Islamic political ideas and the evolving relationship between state and religion. The chapter then focuses on the role of various actors within Egyptian civil society, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, while also exploring the experiences of women and addressing the issue of militant Islamist groups and government repression. This extensive examination sheds light on a critical interplay between religious belief, social movements, and the political landscape.
Keywords
Egyptian political culture, public participation, democratization, Islam, civil society, state-society relations, Muslim Brotherhood, elections, party system, political liberalization, human development, women's status, freedom of expression, historical analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Political Participation in Egypt
What is the main topic of this research paper?
This research paper investigates the relationship between political culture, Islam, and public participation in modern Egypt. It explores the historical development of participatory institutions, analyzes the current state and power structure, and examines the preconditions for public participation within the Egyptian context. The paper also focuses on the role of Islam and civil society in shaping political participation and the democratization process in Egypt.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include: the historical development of participatory institutions in Egypt; the current state and power structure and its impact on public participation; preconditions for public participation (education, freedom of expression, women's role); the influence of Islam on Egyptian political culture and civil society; and the effectiveness of institutionalized forms of participation (elections, party system).
What historical periods are examined in the paper?
The paper examines the historical development of participatory institutions in Egypt, focusing on two key periods: the national movement following French colonial rule (including the emergence of popular movements and the role of religious leaders under Muhammad Ali) and the period after the Free Officers' revolution.
How does the paper analyze the Egyptian state and power structure?
The paper provides an overview of the Egyptian state's structure, examining the executive (Presidency and Cabinet), legislative (People's Assembly and Shura Council), and judicial branches. This analysis aims to understand the institutional framework for political participation and its effectiveness.
What preconditions for public participation are discussed?
The paper analyzes education and literacy (with a focus on women's status) and freedom of expression and press (including state repression) as crucial preconditions for meaningful political participation in Egypt.
How does the paper assess the effectiveness of institutionalized participation?
The paper assesses the effectiveness of institutionalized participation by examining voter turnout, the electoral process for the People's Assembly, the party system, and the constitutional framework for participation. Empirical data is used to evaluate the efficacy of these mechanisms.
What is the role of Islam and civil society in the paper's analysis?
The paper explores the complex relationship between Islam, civil society, and political participation in Egypt. It examines the historical development of Islamic political ideas, the relationship between state and religion, and the role of various actors within Egyptian civil society (including the Muslim Brotherhood). The experiences of women and the issue of militant Islamist groups and government repression are also addressed.
What are the main conclusions of the paper (as previewed)?
The preview suggests the paper will conclude by offering an assessment of the interplay between secular state practice, Islamic influence, and the effectiveness of mechanisms for public participation in Egypt. It will likely highlight the ongoing challenges to democratization and the tension between state and society.
What keywords describe the research paper's content?
Keywords include: Egyptian political culture, public participation, democratization, Islam, civil society, state-society relations, Muslim Brotherhood, elections, party system, political liberalization, human development, women's status, freedom of expression, historical analysis.
What is the methodology used in this research?
The methodology emphasizes a historically descriptive approach, analyzing the evolution of political participation in Egypt across different periods and considering various contributing factors.
What chapters are included in the research paper?
The paper includes chapters on Introduction, Historical Introduction, The State and Power Structure, Preconditions for Public Participation, Effectiveness of Institutionalized Forms of Participation, Islam and Civil Society in Egypt, and Conclusion.
- Quote paper
- Mag. Stefan Svec (Author), 2004, Political Culture, Islam and Public Participation in Modern Egypt, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/26573
