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theses

We have recently seen some historical changes sweeping across the Muslim world. The collective action by Arabs throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia has been a source of both joy and anxiety for the western world. When Tunisians took to the streets on December 18, 2010 they could not have imagined how the chain of events they had just begun would change the world forever. Arab Spring has granted new found freedoms to citizens in that part of the world. Many of these nations have seen new, democratically elected governments take hold. As the West rejoices for freedom’s victories, we cannot help but wonder how the long term changes in each country will impact us. Is a democratically elected government compatible with the cultures and traditions of the Muslim world? Is there concern that a democratically elected head of state will resort to the type of strongman politics which results in a blended, or hybrid regime that has become common to the region? Will the wide-spread animosity that many Arabs feel against the United States carry over into politics? My aim with this project is to apply these questions and others to a single nation, as I examine the Egyptian Arab Spring movement. My goal is to research what made this revolt successful in removing such an established head of state, as President Hosni Mubarak was. I will also delve into the Muslim Brotherhood, and their representative Mohamed Morsi who assumed office as the President of Egypt which had been left vacant by Mubarak’s departure. I am fascinated by the role that the Muslim Brotherhood, as an organization will play in influencing President Morsi’s decisions. To this end, I will examine whether or not I believe the Muslim Brotherhood’s belief in a system which blends religion and politics can survive in Egypt. To accomplish this, I will research not only Egypt’s recent political history, but also the history of the Muslim Brotherhood itself to become familiar with their goals and methods. Ultimately, my hope for this project is to take away the unknown of Egypt’s future. I hope to reveal that a peaceful and stable democracy is Egypt is here to stay, but I am not yet comfortable making such a claim without first knowing more about those who will lead the nation.

ETD_4512

http://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10005600001.ETD.000067581

M.A.L.S.

Includes bibliographical references

Includes vita

doi:10.7282/T3KP80WZ

ETD graduate

The author owns the copyright to this work.