Trends towards Retraditionalization in Egypt

Abstract

Looking at Egyptian politics since the 1952 revolution, two outstanding features require an explanation: (1) What accounts for the remarkable stability and continuity of the political system which survived through several military disasters, the break-up of the union with Syria, the death of Nasser, and after 26 years is still ruled by a man of the first hour? (2) How could the political system initiate and uphold over time policies of rapid social and economic change, including changes of the whole economic system, in spite of its weak political institutions which underwent repeated break-ups and changes? It is argued that both questions find a partial explanation in the specific structure of the Egyptian political system, as it developed in a process of retraditionalization which started under Nasser and continues under Sadat.