Democracy in Egypt

Egypt, in terms of democracy, is limited. Superficially it contains all the basic requirements of a democracy: a parliament, a president and regular elections. However, "elections do not a democracy make." In Egypt's sordid past it has been occupied, reoccupied and moreover controlled by external forces unique in the Arab world. Strong nationalism has led Egypt through social experiments that failed. Imitation has brought about a parliamentary monarchy cut short by a coup. In the end, "Rule from abroad" was bargained away in favor of a mock form of democracy that in many ways survives today. However, most recently we have seen encouraging changes in Egypt's government that seem to come closer to what we consider a true democracy.

Any fresh discussion of democracy in Egypt should begin at its initial westernization. Eighteenth Century Egypt was chaotic and decentralized. A renewed Mamluk order was the cause of many internal battles within Egypt's own borders. Regions of the country were