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Are dreams of democracy in Egypt dead?

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Are dreams of democracy in Egypt dead?

booji's picture
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Joined: 20 Mar 2012
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I have to admit that i dont really follow politics in the Arab world much however I had thought that with the Arab spring things were moving in the right direction in Egypt - Mubarak gone, promises of a new constitution, real elections for the first time ever for both a parliament and a president. Sure there were always going to be some problems but it is the direction that matters, if a country comes out with a workable constitution and a representative government then problems can be worked out and overcome.

Unfortunately it rather looks like everything is going wrong. Yes voting is going ahead for a President but it looks like whichever of the candidates is elected there will be a large number of people who are alienated and as a result the new president may not have the legitimacy hoped for or be able to bring Egypt together. However the overturning yesterday of last year's parliamentary elections by the Supreme Court seems to be much worse. Ruling that the historic vote was unconstitutional seems to be a kick in the teeth to anyone who wants a democratic Egypt and ordering a rerun is likely to anger Egyptians and make the whole concept less legitimate.  Moreover since the Court is unelected and many of its members were Mubarak appointees it is likely to be seen as a political decision. Could it cause violence?

So what are your views on the issue; Will Egypt still manage to create a functioning democracy?

p.s. I dont actually know where Egypt is on its constitution, would anyone like to enlighten me?

49 weeks 1 day ago
Alex Helling's picture
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Well the Election Commission has declared Mohammed Mursi the winner. He was the Muslim Brotherhood candidate so the question now is whether the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces will let him take office. Though even if he does there is no saying he will be allowed much power.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18571580

47 weeks 6 days ago
Stephanie Hance's picture
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Several variants of democracy exist, but there are two basic forms, both of which concern how the whole body of eligible citizens executes its will. One form of democracy is direct democracy, in which eligible citizens have direct and active participation in the decision making of the government. 

 

28 weeks 6 days ago
Me
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I believe direct democracy as the term was use has many opportunites to be unproductive and lead to mob rule.

19 weeks 4 days ago
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