In post-revolution Egypt, citizens have become less fearful, more politically active and increasingly polarized, said a former Egyptian politician in a lecture yesterday.
Mona Makram-Ebeid, who was a member of the Egyptian parliament both before and after the country’s recent revolution, spoke to about 50 listeners in Stamp Student Union on Thursday. The talk, part of the Sadat Chair for Peace and Development’s Middle East speaker series, examined the ways Egypt has dealt with major political changes since former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down in 2011 after unsuccessful attempts to stop citizen protests. The military assumed control of the country until citizens elected a new president, Mohammed Morsi, whom the military removed from power in July.
Makram-Ebeid said Egypt went from remaining stagnant for 30 years to seeing change “every 30 minutes.” She said citizens’ previous fear of the government has been replaced with an overwhelming interest in politics.
“Egyptian citizens transformed themselves from subjects to citizens,” said Makram-Ebeid, a political science professor at American University in Cairo. “They are resolute to take their destiny into their own hands.”
However, the rising awareness of political issues has brought polarization to Egypt’s citizens. Despite Egypt’s 74 percent literacy rate, Makram-Ebeid said citizens have gained a great understanding of political events and are eager to share their opinions with others.
Now that the people feel more empowered, Egypt needs to take more concrete steps toward a stable government. Makram-Ebeid said she envisions a military-backed, “guided democracy.” She said Americans tend to want other countries to rush into a democracy sooner than might be realistic.
“You can’t cross a channel in one leap — you need to take a few leaps,” she said.
Makram-Ebeid said the military in power after the February 2011 revolution overlooked the fact that governments must establish a constitution before a democracy can be effective. She supports a total redraft of the constitution rather than trying to excessively amend the current one.
A new constitution should hold everyone — including government officials — accountable to the law, Makram-Ebeid said. Morsi triggered protests when he deemed himself immune from judicial accountability in November 2012.
Along with its government restructure, Makram-Ebeid said, Egypt is facing economic problems. Government instability deters tourism, and educated and empowered young Egyptians might turn to violence if left unemployed.
The United States could help alleviate some of these domestic issues, she said. Americans tend to feel unsympathetic toward military action, but Makram-Ebeid said public support of Egyptian jobs, education and health care could change foreign perceptions of America in a positive way.
“It’s better to think about things that will serve Egyptian people, not the Egyptian government,” she said.
Shibley Telhami, an Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development professor, said the revolution shook up America’s relationship with Egypt, leaving feelings that are pragmatic, though “not exactly warm.”
“The relationship between the U.S. and Egypt is intense for the first time in decades,” Telhami said.
Robbie Donaldson, a freshman enrolled in letters and sciences, said hearing a native Egyptian’s perspective provided him with a more positive outlook on the country’s political situation.
“Since the violence died down, I haven’t heard anything positive, but her talk felt encouraging,” he said.
However, freshman chemical engineering major Thien Nguyendo said while he enjoyed hearing debate between Makram-Ebeid and her audience, he left feeling that Egypt has a lot of improvements to make.
“I would say the military has too much power in Egypt,” Nguyendo said. “I hope the military removes some of its military, economic and political power.”
