Commentary
The recent record of citizen uprisings in autocracies spells caution for the hope that a new wave of Iranian protests may break the regime’s hold on power.
Thomas Carothers, McKenzie Carrier
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REQUIRED IMAGE
Other
Can Egypt’s Troubled Elections Produce a More Democratic Future?
The Egyptian political system has emerged sharply bipolar from recent parliamentary elections. While the ruling National Democratic Party won its expected victory, the performance of the Muslim Brotherhood surprised the NDP and the secular opposition forces. How will the Egyptian government react to the opposition’s success?
Published on Dec 20, 2005
Source: Carnegie Endowment
The Egyptian political system has emerged sharply bipolar from recent parliamentary elections. While the ruling National Democratic Party won its expected victory, the performance of the Muslim Brotherhood surprised the NDP and the secular opposition forces. How will the Egyptian government react to the opposition’s success? Will both groups be able to coexist peacefully in the democratically-elected parliament?
Hamzawy and Brown argue that the Mubarak regime has three choices: to resort to escalating repressive measures, to accept the new role of the Brotherhood and integrate it fully, or to accommodate it in a rather cautious way. Given the new weight of the Brotherhood as the dominant bloc within the opposition camp, the movement might be tempted to press for immediate political gains, which could raise acute policy dilemmas for the Egyptian government, the U.S. and others.
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About the Author
Amr Hamzawy and Nathan Brown are both senior associates in the Democracy and Rule of Law Project at the Carnegie Endowment.
About the Authors
Amr Hamzawy
Director, Middle East Program
Amr Hamzawy is a senior fellow and the director of the Carnegie Middle East Program. His research and writings focus on governance in the Middle East and North Africa, social vulnerability, and the different roles of governments and civil societies in the region.
Nathan J. Brown
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Nathan J. Brown, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, is a distinguished scholar and author of nine books on Arab politics and governance, as well as editor of five books.
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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