Judges and Generals in the Making of Modern Egypt: How Institutions Sustain and Undermine Authoritarian Regimes

The interaction between institutions and preferences, such as judges and generals in Egypt, creates the environment for authoritarian regimes to survive and fail. Judges and Generals in the Making of Modern Egypt provides a historically grounded explanation for the rise and demise of authoritarianism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 335 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Why do authoritarian regimes survive? How do dictators fail? What role do political institutions play in these two processes?

Many of the answers to these questions can be traced to the same source: the interaction between institutions and preferences.

Using Egypt as a case study, Professor Mahmoud Hamad describes how the synergy between judges and generals created the environment for the present government and a delicate balance for its survival.

The history of modern Egypt is one of the struggle between authoritarian governments, and forces that advocate for more democratic rights. While the military has provided dictatorial leaders, the judiciary provides judges who have the power to either support or stymie authoritarian power.

Judges and Generals in the Making of Modern Egypt provides a historically grounded explanation for the rise and demise of authoritarianism, and is one of the first studies of Egypt's judicial institutions within a single analytical framework.

The synergy between judges and generals in Egypt has played a crucial role in the country's political landscape. Judges, who are appointed by the president and serve for life, have the power to either support or stymie authoritarian power. This delicate balance has been a key factor in the survival of the present government, which has faced numerous challenges and protests since its inception in 2013.

One of the reasons why authoritarian regimes survive in Egypt is the lack of effective opposition. The country's political system is dominated by the military, which has been in power for over 60 years. The military has suppressed opposition groups and marginalized political parties, making it difficult for them to challenge the government's authority.

Another factor contributing to the survival of authoritarian regimes is the role of political institutions. The judiciary, in particular, has played a critical role in shaping the country's political landscape. Judges have the power to interpret the constitution and rule on legal matters, which can have a significant impact on the government's ability to govern.

However, the judiciary has also been criticized for its role in supporting authoritarian power. Some judges have been accused of corruption and bias, and have been accused of ruling in favor of the government in cases involving political opponents. This has led to concerns about the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, which has been a key factor in the decline of authoritarian regimes in other countries.

The military has also played a role in supporting authoritarian regimes in Egypt. The military has been in power for over 60 years, and has suppressed opposition groups and marginalized political parties. The military has also been accused of corruption and human rights abuses, which has led to concerns about the military's role in shaping the country's political landscape.

Despite these challenges, the present government in Egypt has managed to survive. This is in part due to the support of the judiciary, which has played a critical role in shaping the country's political landscape. The judiciary has been able to uphold the constitution and rule on legal matters, which has helped to maintain stability and order in the country.

However, the government's survival is also due to the lack of effective opposition. The military has suppressed opposition groups and marginalized political parties, making it difficult for them to challenge the government's authority. This has led to concerns about the future of democracy in Egypt, as the military's continued dominance over the country's political landscape may lead to the repression of political freedoms and human rights.

In conclusion, the synergy between judges and generals in Egypt has played a crucial role in the country's political landscape. Judges have the power to either support or stymie authoritarian power, and the judiciary has played a critical role in shaping the country's political landscape. However, the government's survival is also due to the lack of effective opposition, the role of political institutions, and the military's continued dominance over the country's political landscape. This delicate balance has been a key factor in the survival of the present government, but it is also a concern for those who advocate for more democratic rights and freedoms in Egypt.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108442442