Thursday, November 25, 2010

Eid Mubarak, Egypt!


As Gamal Mubarak seeks his father's throne, will hereditary succession again restrict democratisation in an Arab state?

By Larbi Sadiki
Al-Jazeera

"....For thirty years, it has literally been 'Eid Mubarak' in Egypt, whether or not it will be 'Eid Mubarak' for another thirty years in Egypt is uncertain, as the next generation of the Mubarak clan seeks to step into the political arena. The phrase has the sound of a neat political slogan as Egypt’s political and civil societies are whipped up by the current moment of transition or more aptly in-transition.

'Eid Mubarak':'Return Mubarak'

'Eid Mubarak' in these days of the Eid of sacrifice somewhat carries a different meaning: literally,'return Mubarak'. Which Mubarak? Does it really matter?....

Gamal: The Making of a'de facto President'


Gamal - the investment banker - comes into politics with a Smithian mind-set for wealth-making. At least for now it is reflected in his own wealth and that made by the class of millionaires and billionaires that staff the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). The NDP's economic and political predilections reflect his policy preferences.....

Egypt Matters

Today the Mubaraks' Egypt looks a skeleton of its old dynamic self. It is inward-looking, security-obsessed, role-less, confused, stagnant, ailing and ordinary. In 2010 Egypt is evocative of King Faruk's time in the early 1950s.

But Egypt matters. It matters to the Arab world. It matters to the Middle East. It matters to the world. So much yearning remains for the majesty that is Egypt, Umm al-Dunya,'the mother of the world'. Egypt's genius that once contributed a great deal to Arab, Islamic and world civilization is today admired at a distance and as matter of antiquity. A return – literally 'Eid' – of that genius could fire democratic renewal and cultural renaissance, however this is highly doubtful under a return to dynastic rule."

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