The Egyptian Social Contract: A History of State-Middle Class Relations

The Egyptian Social Contract explores the state-middle class reciprocities in the making, persistence, and failure of the Egyptian social contract, highlighting the social history of state citizen relations and the gaps between the formal and informal layers. It investigates how the social contract interacted with changing global trends in socioeconomic development and governance and provides a rich context for understanding the contemporary search for a new social contract in Egypt and the Middle East.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The Egyptian Social Contract delves into the intricate dynamics of the relationship between the state and its citizens,spanning from the establishment of the semi-independent Egyptian nation in 1922 to the 2011 Uprising. This comprehensive book examines the historical evolution of a social contract that was reformed in the aftermath of World War II and became the cornerstone of state-citizen relations under President Nasser. It further explores the ongoing quest for a new social contract in Egypt since the 1970s.

Relli Shechter, in her insightful analysis, explores how this social contract has shaped socioeconomic development over time, resulting in the emergence of an Egyptian middle class. Shechter delves into the complex interplay between class vision, interests in development, and the rise and consolidation of authoritarianism within the political economy. The persistence of this social contract has largely hindered socioeconomic and political reforms, or the creation of a new social contract, in Egypt. Such reforms would have posed a significant challenge to Egypt's ruling elite, as well as its middle-class society.

The book employs a multi-disciplinary approach, combining public discourse, legislation, and an analysis of institutional capacity and state allocation. This innovative approach provides a rich context for understanding the contemporary search for a new social contract in Egypt and the broader Middle East region. The Egyptian Social Contract sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape state-citizen relations and the challenges faced by societies in transition. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in comprehending the complexities of contemporary Egypt and the Middle East.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 161 x 240 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399510301