The Egyptian Spring: Continuing Challenges a Year After the Arab Spring
The Egyptian Spring: Continuing Challenges a Year After the Arab Spring

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the dynamics that led to the Egyptian Spring and prospective challenges in Egypt’s democratic transition. Studying the Egyptian Spring would allow us to understand what the nascent political and social changes suggest for Egypt’s future as well as giving us useful clues as to what specific areas Egyptian governments of the future need to improve. Lack of democracy, economic stagnation, and mass discontent with Egypt’s pro-American foreign policy position are the three main causes of the Egyptian Spring. The ousting of the Mubarak regime through mass uprisings has opened the way for democratization. However, this does not necessarily guarantee a smooth transition to a fully functioning democratic system. Thus, Egypt’s prospective challenges include establishing a political system that i) provides a more democratic political culture, ii) has a constitution with protections for basic rights and freedoms providing free and fair elections and a representative and responsible parliament, iii) has systemic guarantees preventing the military from dominating politics, and iv) promotes a well-functioning civil society.

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