Saturday, December 08, 2012

The Logic Behind Egypt's New Authoritarianism



Abdullah Al-Arian writes:

Power Struggle



For its part, the Muslim Brotherhood, through its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), adopted an untenable position of continually seeking accommodation with the power holders while also claiming to uphold the principles of the revolution, resulting in frequent confrontations that culminated in last summer's presidential race. 

 Morsi decree prompts mass protests in
Egyptian cities
Morsi's victory and the subsequent power struggle resulted in a government that is essentially Frankenstein's monster run amok, with the Egyptian people, especially those who have repeatedly laid down their lives in the cause of a revolution, ultimately made to pay the price. 

The outrage over Morsi's decree and draft constitution stems in large part from the deep suspicions the Muslim Brotherhood have generated among some segments of Egyptian society, due to the tendency of its leadership to shroud its decisions in secrecy and impose its will on the country's remaining political forces. 

The so-called "dictatorial power grab" and comparisons to Pharaoh are alarming exaggerations, even in a country where hyperbole is common political currency. 

In truth, the Muslim Brotherhood's unrivalled success in every election it has contested - particularly its impressive triumph over the fully mobilised engines of the state in the presidential race - gives it no need to upend its democratic legitimacy. 

Rather than an attack on the popular will, which his party continues to take for granted, Morsi's recent manoeuvers should be read in light of the internal battle among the state's institutions and the escalation they have witnessed in recent months. 

Far earlier than claiming legislative powers for himself, Morsi attempted to reinstate the elected parliament, only to be overruled by the Supreme Constitutional Court. Moreover, the timing of the recent move coincided with the expectation that the high court was to dissolve the upper chamber of parliament, along with the Constituent Assembly, placing immense pressure on Morsi to unilaterally appoint a new committee to write Egypt's constitution. 

The president did not relish in the prospect of appointing a committee he knew would be rejected at the outset by the political opposition, and preferred to allow the current committee to complete its work. While giving him expansive powers in the process, the decree also allowed Morsi to shield the current committee from the court's impending dissolution order. 

The burning question remains, if Morsi believed he lacked the political capital to appoint a new 100-person committee to write the constitution, what possibly possessed him to think the opposition would accept the sweeping nature of his decree, or the rushed constitutional draft that emerged in the current committee's eleventh hour? 

The answer may lie in the Muslim Brotherhood's recent history, which prioritised a strong internal hierarchical structure, or tanzim, that preached strict discipline throughout the ranks and placed a premium on secrecy in the face of repression. From the early 1980s, the legacy of Nasser's suppression and the authoritarianism of the Mubarak regime caused the Muslim Brotherhood's leaders to view Egyptian politics as a zero-sum game. 

Despite the strong push by some younger members to expand outreach into society and pursue incremental changes to the political structures, the senior leadership, aided by some of its cadre of new officials, including Morsi and Khairat al-Shater, promoted an insular Muslim Brotherhood that became deeply suspicious of the rest of Egyptian society. 

Even upon the group's entry into social and state institutions such as the professional syndicates or the parliament, it was only after they dominated those structures that the Muslim Brotherhood's leadership believed they were worthwhile endeavours. That trend has continued throughout the post-January 25 transition. 

The Muslim Brotherhood doubled down from its initial pledge of limiting the number of candidates fielded in parliamentary elections and infamously reneged on its promise not to run for the presidency.

As a recognised political actor, the Muslim Brotherhood was well within its rights to challenge as few or as many of the available offices that it wished. But given the closed nature of its organisational structure, the consistent lack of engagement with competing political forces and its propensity for relying on majoritarianism to quash all dissent within its ranks and now within the broader society, its leaders should not be surprised by the widespread displays of hostility and resentment.

The latest casualty of this dynamic has been the struggle over the new constitution. If the turmoil surrounding the transitional government has thrown Egypt's political life into disarray, the politicisation of the state's foundational document is sure to have long-term consequences.

The most objectionable clauses, whether enshrining the military's privileged status, the checks place on the freedom of expression, or the potential confessionalisation of Egypt's legal system could eventually be undone through the proper channels of revision and amendment.

However, the process of producing and passing this document has the potential to embed a deep-seated polarisation within the heart of Egypt's burgeoning political culture.

Indeed, based on the massive public demonstrations for and against the draft constitution, this has already occurred. Morsi now faces the challenge of bridging a deep divide, a task for which he has thus far proven to be ill-suited, obstructionism of some of the more ideological segments of the opposition notwithstanding.

Having used his democratic legitimacy to shield himself from all accountability, the president has raised the stakes of political competition in Egypt. Given the intensity of the response, however, the unintended consequence of this overreach may be to force a recalculation on the part of the Muslim Brotherhood's political leadership.

In spite of its supposed successes up to this point, the logic of the new authoritarianism cannot hold in a future Egypt that is not only democratic, but embodies the principles of political pluralism as well.

Via: "Al-Jazeera"


207 comments:

1 – 200 of 207   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

tramadol online overnight tramadol online - 10 50 mg tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol for dogs long term use - safe place buy tramadol online

Anonymous said...

ativan online ativan gel - long ativan your system

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod tramadol y paracetamol - tramadol 50 mg tablets

Anonymous said...

klonopin for anxiety klonopin vs alcohol - how to safely get off klonopin

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 50 - tramadol high off

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online klonopin withdrawal clonidine - where can i buy klonopin online

Anonymous said...

generic tramadol online tramadol gives me energy - tramadol online american express

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg get high - buy tramadol online usa

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam klonopin yellow - klonopin withdrawal bluelight

Anonymous said...

ambien online can i cut ambien 10mg in half - generic ambien in u.s.a

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription overnight tramadol dosage veterinary medicine - tramadol normal dosage

Anonymous said...

order ambien online no prescription ambien cr discontinued - ambien side effects rage

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol dosage sizes - tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy ativan online ativan side effects drugs.com - ativan sleep

Anonymous said...

tramadol online order tramadol online forum - tramadol hcl pills

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online can you buy ambien over the counter in canada - ambien cr 12.5mg coupon

Anonymous said...

soma online cheap eats soma san francisco - buy soma mastercard

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 50mg has bought tramadol online - tramadol 600mg

Anonymous said...

ambien online ambien cr withdrawal insomnia - generic ambien cr 12.5 mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol uk dosage for tramadol 100mg - buy tramadol legally

Anonymous said...

buy soma 350mg soma pills dosage - muscle relaxer medications soma

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 627 get high - tramadol online sales

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buy tramadol 100mg online - tramadol for high blood pressure

Anonymous said...

ambien online much does generic ambien cost without insurance - ambien side effects violent

Anonymous said...

soma online usan soma pills - difference between soma generic

Anonymous said...

tramadol online where to buy tramadol online legally - tramadol online no prescription overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

generic ambien 20 mg generic ambien - ambien medication assistance

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg tramadol not working - purchase cheap tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cash on delivery tramadol 50mg an 627 - tramadol for cheap to buy

Anonymous said...

klonopin online no prescription overnight long does 2mg klonopin last - klonopin withdrawal onset

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online buy ambien hong kong - ambien sleep medication

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol online next day delivery - buy tramadol no prescription cheap

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam will 2mg klonopin do - is generic klonopin as good as brand name

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy generic tramadol online - generic tramadol pill identification

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien side effects ear ringing - buy real ambien

Anonymous said...

ambien without prescription ambien side effects hair loss - ambien vs. generic zolpidem

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online purchase viagra los angeles - buy viagra online cheap with no prescription

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra 100mg viagra online 4rx - viagra online reputable

Anonymous said...

viagra is generic viagra online real - viagra free samples

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription buy generic tramadol online - tramadol hydrochloride dosage

Anonymous said...

klonopin pill klonopin withdrawal xanax - klonopin 2 mg erowid

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol hcl medicine - buy tramadol online cheap

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol dosage men - tramadol dosage uses

Anonymous said...

order klonopin online can klonopin get you high - rebound anxiety from klonopin

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol hcl liver - co jest tramadol 50mg

Anonymous said...

klonopin online klonopin bioavailability - klonopin withdrawal how long does it take

Anonymous said...

buy ambien ambien drug wakes near dead - serious side effects ambien cr

Anonymous said...

where to buy tramadol online tramadol hcl 50mg - tramadol online pharmacy canada

Anonymous said...

generic ambien ambien in children - ambien zolpidem difference

Anonymous said...

klonopin clonazepam flexeril klonopin erowid - klonopin withdrawal chart

Anonymous said...

buy cheap ambien ambien 74 93 - ambien price walmart

Anonymous said...

order viagra for women viagra cialis online pharmacy - buy viagra online melbourne

Anonymous said...

buy viagra 100mg generic viagra 20mg - buy viagra online cheap category

Anonymous said...

buy cheap viagra no prescription buy viagra for women - buy viagra online laser card

Anonymous said...

buy soma soma drug erowid - buy soma online ship texas

Anonymous said...

tramadol online legal order tramadol online - tramadol dosage women

Anonymous said...

can you buy viagra at walmart get generic viagra online - herbal viagra online uk

Anonymous said...

soma online pharmacy soma muscle relaxer drug interactions - buy soma online

Anonymous said...

ambien no rx ambien cr 12.5 mg cut half - ambien side effects nightmares

Anonymous said...

purchase tramadol is it legal to buy tramadol online in the us - tramadol online no prescription

Anonymous said...

order viagra online overnight cheap viagra next day delivery - viagra bill

Anonymous said...

buying viagra cheap generic viagra online canada - generic viagra-teva

Anonymous said...

cialis 20mg order cialis professional - generic cialis super active reviews

Anonymous said...

buy viagra locally cheap viagra in uk - viagra max dosage

Anonymous said...

discount soma soma usa online pharmacy - taking 2 350 mg soma

Anonymous said...

buy cheap generic viagra online viagra street price - purchase viagra online from canada

Anonymous said...

how to buy viagra online buy generic viagra online from india - online purchase of viagra

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis 30 day trial - reviews viagra vs cialis vs levitra

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol uk purchase tramadol online cod - tramadol hcl nih

Anonymous said...

buy viagra without rx generic viagra online mastercard - canada drugs online viagra

Anonymous said...

buy viagra where to purchase viagra in canada - viagra to buy in canada

Anonymous said...

order sildenafil buy legit viagra online - buy viagra online from australia

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online lawsuit on propecia - buy propecia discount

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol online 100mg tramadol lot - buy tramadol generic ultram

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online propecia body hair - propecia results after 4 months

Anonymous said...

how to buy viagra online order viagra online uk - buy female viagra online canada

Anonymous said...

cialis online canada how much does cialis daily cost - cialis online cheap no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol no prescription tramadol for cheap to buy - tramadol addiction time

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online buy propecia in australia - cheap propecia nz

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol online what is tramadol ultram used for - tramadol addiction

Anonymous said...

where to order viagra online viagra online overnight - viagra online canada no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy cheap tramadol tramadol overnight no prescription mastercard - tramadol hcl recreational use

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol rx tramadol overdose dog - tramadol ultram controlled substance

Anonymous said...

cialis online canada order cialis paypal - cialis online from canada no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy finasteride propecia how long before results - propecia online usa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy tramadol ireland - tramadol dosage with paracetamol

Anonymous said...

order propecia propecia finasteride reviews - propecia patent

Anonymous said...

tramadol 100 mg tramadol 37.5/325 high - tramadol typical dosage

Anonymous said...

order viagra online without script can you buy viagra in dubai - viagra zinc

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis online no prescription canada - cialis daily and prostatectomy filetype ppt

Anonymous said...

buy retin a micro retin a cream pregnancy - retin a micro mechanism action

Anonymous said...

buy viagra buy viagra and cialis - generic viagra online reviews

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a online buy retin-a cream from usa - where to purchase retin a cream

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol ultram online - tramadol online usa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol hcl half life - buy tramadol online australia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol 200 - tramadol hcl and alcohol

Anonymous said...

tramadol 100mg tramadol hcl 50 mg is used for - tramadol overdose hallucinations

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg buy tramadol faq - tramadol withdrawal management

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol cheap online - tramadol hcl para que serve

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online ultram side effects weight loss - tramadol 50mg or 100mg

Anonymous said...

discount retin-a where to buy retin a cream - retin a micro oily skin

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol online without rx - tramadol 50 mg purchase

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod tramadol 50 mg recreational use - cheap tramadol/pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online pharmacy reviews ultram - tramadol side effects high dose

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50 mg kapseln - ultram tramadol hci tablets

Anonymous said...

order finasteride propecia category x - propecia 3 month supply

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a online retin a cream for acne reviews - reduce retin a side effects

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50 mg picture - tramadol online no prescription needed

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no prescription overnight tramadol online international - tramadol 50mg 319

Anonymous said...

where to buy tramadol online tramadol 100 mg high dose - tramadol dosage in the elderly

Anonymous said...

can you buy tramadol online legally buy tramadol online from usa - tramadol no prescription overnight shipping

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online propecia 5 year results - cheap propecia buy online

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin-a micro pump dosage - retin-a look younger

Anonymous said...

buy retin a online buy generic retin a cream - retin a micro online order

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy cheap tramadol online - buy tramadol echeck

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription tramadol hcl xr 100mg - take tramadol high

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no prescription tramadol withdrawal mayo clinic - tramadol addiction studies

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg tramadol xanax together - tramadol for dogs 50 mg

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription buy viagra online lloyds pharmacy - viagra online pharmacy usa

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra 4rx generic viagra review - viagra online from us

Anonymous said...

how to buy cialis cialis 36 vs daily - new daily cialis

Anonymous said...

buy generic cialis online no prescription price of cialis at boots - order generic cialis online canada

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg tramadol generic cost - tramadol hcl controlled substance

Anonymous said...

generic viagra viagra cialis online us - where can you buy viagra online using paypal

Anonymous said...

viagra online pharmacy buy viagra holland - viagra buy online generic

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra does viagra work the first time you take it - buy female viagra online us

Anonymous said...

generic viagra order viagra legally - generic viagra online cheapest

Anonymous said...

generic viagra buy viagra no prescription us - viagra for pulmonary hypertension

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cod tramadol dosage dogs 50mg - tramadol overnight shipping

Anonymous said...

order viagra online online viagra canadian pharmacy online - generic viagra cheap online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis online western union - cialis daily take

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription where to buy viagra online with no prescription - viagra online buy us

Anonymous said...

sildenafil citrate generic viagra online fast shipping - viagra snorting

Anonymous said...

cialis professional cialis reviews for bph - generic 36 hour cialis

Anonymous said...

cheap cialis buy cheap cialis online no prescription - buy cialis no prescription australia

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online viagra canadian pharmacy online - buy cheap viagra usa

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online viagra in us online - buy 4 viagra

Anonymous said...

cialis professional cialis циалис tadalafil - is it legal to buy cialis online in canada

Anonymous said...

discount viagra how to buy viagra online forum - buy viagra online debit card

Anonymous said...

buy cialis order cialis with prescription - cialis black

Anonymous said...

cheap generic cialis how to buy cialis safely online - cialis heart attack

Anonymous said...

cialis 20mg cheap cialis eu - where can i buy cialis with paypal

Anonymous said...

cialis online pharmacy buy cialis online greece - cheap genuine cialis

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis and poppers - generic cialis professional

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis online review online pharmacy - cialis online western union

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cheap cialis daily - cheap cialis levitra

Anonymous said...

buy soma online medication soma compound - buy soma safely online

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription viagra online usn pharmacy - buy viagra online with laser card

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online 37.5 mg tramadol high - tramadol mixed with alcohol

Anonymous said...

buy cheap viagra viagra interactions - generic viagra express shipping

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma 5 panel drug test - dosage for soma muscle relaxant

Anonymous said...

buy soma online buy somatropin online - buy soma online mastercard

Anonymous said...

viagra for sale viagra buy online in us - get viagra online in us

Anonymous said...

soma cheap buy somatropin injection - drug soma side effects

Anonymous said...

buy tadalafil cheap legitimate cialis - buy viagra cialis online

Anonymous said...

buy somas online canadian pharmacy soma no prescription - soma 92110

Anonymous said...

buy soma online makes generic soma - buy soma online fedex

Anonymous said...

soma no prescription buy soma online yahoo answers - black keys soma san diego

Anonymous said...

buy soma online no prescription what drug class is soma - soma access systems

Anonymous said...

buy soma buy soma pills online - discount soma intimates

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma ku - type medication soma

Anonymous said...

soma online soma 350 mg vs flexeril - can you buy soma online

Anonymous said...

buy retin a no prescription buy retin a singapore - retin a cream prescription price

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma hair products - soma drug online

Anonymous said...

soma online buy hgh - somatropin pills - order soma online texas

Anonymous said...

soma muscle relaxant buy 180 soma - what is soma medication for

Anonymous said...

buy soma online buy soma online cod - soma 2012

Anonymous said...

buy soma online the medication soma - soma medication website

Anonymous said...

buy retin a retin a micro large pores - retin a usa no prescription

Anonymous said...

soma online buy soma from usa - cheap soma no prescription overnight

Anonymous said...

retin a skin buy retin a amazon - generic retin a online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online with mastercard tramadol on drug test - generic tramadol online no prescription

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg buy ultram er canada - can you buy tramadol in canada

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol does tramadol 50 mg do you - buy tramadol cod personal check

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with mastercard tramadol recreational dose bluelight - order tramadol online cheap

Anonymous said...

where to buy retin-a online buy retin a gel online no prescription - retin-a micro gel ortho neutrogena

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online without prescription tramadol jitters - can you buy tramadol online

Anonymous said...

where to buy tramadol online how do i buy tramadol online yahoo - tramadol 400 mg dose

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin a cream liver - retin a no prescription usa

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online generic cialis fast delivery - buy cialis online cheap

Anonymous said...

can you buy tramadol online tramadol dosage schedule - que es tramadol hcl 50 mg

Anonymous said...

tramadol online pharmacy can you withdrawal tramadol - tramadol hcl + kidney

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol next day tramadol withdrawal and sneezing - tramadol overdose symptoms dogs

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod overnight tramadol withdrawal wikipedia - tramadol overdose management

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol dosage per day - can take 2 tramadol 50mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol drug buyers - tramadol dosage 10 lb dog

Anonymous said...

buy cheap tramadol tramadol hcl 400 mg - tramadol hcl 37.5

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online high does tramadol get you - tramadol 50mg norsk

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol 100mg buy online - order tramadol eu

Anonymous said...

xanax without prescription xanax crazy meds - xanax drug alternative

Anonymous said...

generic xanax get high xanax xr - xanax withdrawal after 3 days

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol overnight tramadol 50 mg with tylenol - tramadol legal to order online

Anonymous said...

generic xanax xanax and alcohol blackout - xanax drug interactions advil

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no prescription tramadol 100mg online - buy tramadol overnight saturday delivery

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online tramadol addiction 2012 - buy tramadol no prescription free shipping

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buy tramadol no prescription cod - tramadol for dogs versus humans

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online daily dose cialis side effects - cialis online legale

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis daily use bph - cialis half life

Anonymous said...

http://landvoicelearning.com/#23561 tramadol hcl 50 mg efectos secundarios - what is ultram tramadol hcl

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 207   Newer› Newest»