Egypt, 2011An historic

revolution.

Liz ShumpertPeriod 1

Egypt

Many of the January protests took place in Egypt’s capital, Cairo.

Other sites of demonstration included

Suez, Alexandria, Mahalla, and Quena.

The DemonstratorsThe Demonstrators

Age“Youth bulge” of fifteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds.

EducationMajority have a formal education.

EmploymentTypically unemployed. This was a fuel for most protesters’ frustration, especially when coupled with their promising educations.

ReligionModerate

PoliticsModerate

OtherFamiliarity with and access to technology and the Internet.

The GovernmentHosni Mubarak (1928 – present)Assumed Egyptian presidency in 1981 and served until ousted in February, 2011. Ran a military dictatorship.

Was detained on April 13th for 15 days of questioning about allegations of corruption and abuse of power. Currently facing trials on charges of premeditated murder of peaceful protestors during the revolution.

2012 Presidential Candidates

Mohamed ElBaradeiEx-Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), winner of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

Amr MoussaEx-Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and former Foreign Minister.

Hazem Salah Abu IsmailAn Islamist figure and affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood. A known TV host amongst Egyptians.

Egypt and the American Revolution

Similarities

Both rebellions opposed an authority whose people thought was unjust.Egyptians rebelled against Mubarak and his government; Americans rebelled against British sovereignty.

Neither countries had a say in the appointment of their rulers. Mubarak was appointed his position—not elected—after the assassination of former president Anwar El Sadat; the American colonists were English emigrants before they settled and considered independence from Britain.

Neither revolutions occurred long after the authoritative power was instated (in relation to the countries’ histories of rule). Egypt’s authoritative regime lasted for 30 years; British control from 1607 to 1775.

Neither of the countries’ rulers wanted any part in the war.Neither Mubarak nor Britain were in favour of the rebellions (understandably).

Egypt and the American Revolution

Differences

The American patriots had many more rights going into their revolution than did the Egyptian revolutionaries.Americans were allowed an extremely significant amount of political influence by the British. No other country in Europe granted their minor gentry (the status of American colonists during the 17th-18th centuries in relation to British society) as much freedom or taxed them as little as Britain did their American subjects. While American complaints were not insubstantial, Egypt’s citizens lived under a literal dictatorship, which, predictably, restricted their rights to a much higher degree.

The two countries had very different levels of support from outside forces. America’s revolution would not have succeeded without the aid of the French navy, while the Egyptian rebels gained no foreign support beyond the media attention. This localized Egypt’s conflict and left them to come out of the revolution without any strong allies.

Egypt and the American Revolution

Differences (cont.)

Egypt’s revolution invoked a more powerful response from other countries than the American Revolution.Egypt’s successful revolution was extremely influential, inspiring tens of millions of people outside of Egypt into protest. America, on the other hand, couldn’t convince Canada to revolt. Although, to be fair, that may not have been their fault; has it been proven whether or not Canadians are actually too polite for revolution? That might have had something to do with it.

Egyptian demonstrators had the freedom of a much larger amount of citizens at stake than did American revolutionaries.In 2011, Egypt had a population of 86 million people. In 1776, on the eve’ of the American Revolution, the patriots’ eastern American population consisted of 3 million colonists.

The Future of Egypt

“Egypt has the opportunity [for a successful democratic society], as well as the world’s attention.”

I believe that Egypt is very close to reaching its desired goal. The global attention that Egypt’s revolution garnered should play a large role in affecting how the new government is formed; Egypt now knows that it is being watched, and that abuses of power will not go unnoted.Currently, a temporary government has been instated which will preside over the country until the presidential election of 2012. One of the announced candidates for presidency is Mohamed ElBaradei (see slide 4), who looks very promising in that he has a very strong sense of the international mind set, as well as many foreign connections and experience in running a large organization. The Nobel-prize-winner’s career is also untainted by Mubarak’s regime. I have faith that, while he may not be a perfect candidate, ElBaradei could play a key role in supporting the new government so long as his heart and priorities are in the right place.It is also interesting to note that Ahmed Shafiq, the first Egyptian prime minister since the revolution, decided to resign after losing his temper in a public debate after a novelist challenged his patriotism. After Shafiq’s outburst, the author retorted indignantly, claiming his right to ask the prime minister these questions. If this exchanged had occurred during Mubarak’s regime, the novelist would have been carted off and held accountable for his impertinence, leaving Shafiq with a clean slate; but, instead, the prime minister was publicly disgraced and later voluntarily resigned from his position. The fact that government officials are reacting to the voice of the public is an extremely promising characteristic of this new Egypt.So, yes. I don’t know enough about Egypt’s history and the constitution of its people to have a very strong opinion on the subject of its future, but I have heard some promising arguments. I am an optimist, and will remain so on this matter.

References

Lisa Blaydes, Drew Linzer. “Who Are Egypt’s Protesters?” Huffington Post. 02/07/11. 10/24/11. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-blaydes/who-are-egypts-protesters_b_819737.html

Jayshree Bajoria (interview of Ragui Assaad). “Demographics of Arab Protests.” Council on Foreign Relations. 02/14/11. 10/26/11. http://www.cfr.org/egypt/demographics-arab-protests/p24096

Larry Diamond. “Can Egypt Really Become a Democracy?” The Atlantic. 02/02/11. 10/27/11. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/02/can-egypt-really-become-a-democracy/70639/

Sam Haselby. “Egypt vs the American Revolution.” Al Jazeera (English). 03/08/11. 10/25/11. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/03/201137124724236938.html

Craig Kannalley. “Egypt Revolution 2011: A Complete Guide to the Unrest.” Huffington Post. 01/30/11. 10/24/11. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/egypt-revolution-2011_n_816026.html