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Patterns of political resistance and mobilization under the Sisi regime
Abstract
This paper will examine how the various opposition groups in Egypt have adjusted or modified their modes of resistance given increased government repression and growing popular opposition to contentions politics under the Sisi regime. The paper will focus on four distinct groups and how they have modified their patterns of resistance and mobilization since July 2013 and these are: a. The Muslim Brothers who have borne the brunt of state repression and have been forced, as a result, to abandon all formal and legitimate channels of mobilization and to engage in more radical forms of resistance, including violence. The paper will briefly examine the internal debates and divisions that have ensued within the Brotherhood as a result of these choices and how they are likely to affect the future of the group. b. Revolutionary youth groups which have also been subject to increased state repression and have had to abandon forms of direct political action and to focus their efforts instead on supporting their political prisoners and on raising awareness about their plight while refusing to engage in the formal political process instituted by the Sisi regime. c. Secular political parties most of which have allied themselves with the Sisi regime and have opted to engage in the formal political process instituted by the regime. Yet, In spite of their allegiance these parties have suffered from isolation and marginalization at the hands of the Sisi regime which has led to their growing political irrelevance. d. Labor and professional associations which have lost many of the successes achieved during the last years of the Mubarak regime and the first years of the revolution and have had as a result to retrench and to adopt much more limited demands in spite of growing economic retrenchment and hardship. This paper will also examine how in a manner reminiscent of the late eighties and nineties labor activism has declined but that of professional associations and civil servants is assuming greater importance. Finally, the paper will briefly examine patterns of cooperation, conflict and alliance building between these various groups since 2013, how these have strengthened or weakened these groups vis-à-vis the regime and how they compare with earlier periods. To conclude the paper will reflect on how these modes of resistance and mobilization are likely to affect power relations in Egypt in the coming period.
Discipline
Political Science
Geographic Area
Egypt
Sub Area
Middle East/Near East Studies