Fear among other emotions plays an important role in shaping political outcomes, especially during periods of uncertainty. In this paper, ‘the politics of fear’ is taken as the theoretical basis...Show moreFear among other emotions plays an important role in shaping political outcomes, especially during periods of uncertainty. In this paper, ‘the politics of fear’ is taken as the theoretical basis and is explored through a case study of the democratic transition period in Egypt from 2011 to 2013. The aim is to investigate how fear led to the ultimate failure of this transition. This paper demonstrates that fear was experienced, instrumentalized and exacerbated by three main groups in Egypt during this period, the elite, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the leftists and seculars. Looking beyond Egypt, ‘the politics of fear’ can be used to explain other periods of political uncertainty in different contexts.Show less
This thesis examines the case of the Islamist party the Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, which has significantly resurged in the aftermath of the...Show moreThis thesis examines the case of the Islamist party the Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, which has significantly resurged in the aftermath of the January 25 Revolution, and their efforts in the process of addressing the human rights conditions in Egypt. Eventually, the aim of this research is to assess whether the resurgence of the Muslim Brotherhood in the form of a political party, the FJP, democratically elected by the majority of the Egyptian people, after the 25 January Revolution has resulted in adequate changes to one of the main objectives of the Arab Spring, and ultimately, of the Revolution. The following research question has thus been formulated: To which extent has the Muslim Brotherhood addressed the human rights conditions in Egypt in the aftermath of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution? The human rights that this thesis wil specifically regard in this context are the right to freedom of thought, consciousness, and religion and women’s rights.Show less
The Egyptian Revolution of January 25th 2011 was a turning point for Egyptian domestic politics but also for its foreign policy in defining its role both within the region and in the international...Show moreThe Egyptian Revolution of January 25th 2011 was a turning point for Egyptian domestic politics but also for its foreign policy in defining its role both within the region and in the international arena. After an anchored 30-year-old regime, Egypt witnessed rapid transitions between the rule of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), an interim president and two elected presidents within a period of only 6 years. Thus, the Arab spring and the rapid regime transitions have significantly played a role in shaping Egypt’s foreign policy and respectively, Egypt’s role.Today’s Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, is bringing the historical and traditional sense back to Egypt’s foreign policy. History, geography, size have previously shaped Egypt to be a leading power of the region. However, as it faces internal upheaval, Egypt seems to be culturally, politically and economically dormant from its dominant role. The Egyptian foreign policy may be currently under revision but it has an opportunity to re-define the role of Egypt in the region. This paper will first outline the historical roots and developments of the Egyptian foreign policy constructed under Nasser and Sadat, and progressed under Mubarak. Although both leaders pursued regional power, they led different ideologies which will be elaborated by opposing theories: raison de nation and constructivism led by Morsi on the one hand and raison d’état and realism on the one hand led by Sisi.Show less
This thesis examines the reasons behind the appeal of Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK between 1990 and 2000. Hizb ut-Tahrir is an transnational Islamic political party which seeks to establish an Islamic...Show moreThis thesis examines the reasons behind the appeal of Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK between 1990 and 2000. Hizb ut-Tahrir is an transnational Islamic political party which seeks to establish an Islamic state. It also compares Hizb ut-Tahrir’s ideology with the ideology of key movements within political Islam: the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat-e-Islami. This research also touches upon the question why (young) Muslims born in a Western society are attracted to organisations with a radical goal. The main development that contributed to the popularity of Hizb ut-Tahrir is a combination of the following factors: the large-scale expulsion of Hizb ut-Tahir members in the Middle East; the liberty of association and freedom of speech included in a liberal democracy; racism towards British-born Muslims in the UK which led to segregation; the identity void among second generation Muslims in the UK and the efficient recruitment strategy of Hizb ut-Tahrir on campuses and universities.Show less
This thesis describes the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s ideological ambiguities embedded within the group’s political discourse and its ideological development since Hosni Mubarak’s presidency, on...Show moreThis thesis describes the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s ideological ambiguities embedded within the group’s political discourse and its ideological development since Hosni Mubarak’s presidency, on the topic of the nature of the state. Whilst originally rejecting liberal democratic values and a secular state altogether, the Brothers have since the 1980’s gradually adopted those values within their Islamist framework, and started participating in Egyptian politics. However, this approach led to significant ideological ambiguities on a number of central issues, such as the source of political authority (people or God?) and the role of shari’a (Islamic law) in society. By thorough analysis of the Brotherhood’s post-Mubarak political discourse on these issues, as well as taking into account government-Brotherhood relations, the Brotherhood’s internal dealings, and nationwide events, the writer contends that the Brotherhood’s ideological ambiguities remained firmly in place into the post-Mubarak era, hampering its ability to be a successful political actor in a post-Mubarak Egypt.Show less
