Egypt’s ‘restricted democracy’

Egypt’s heavy-handed approach to curbing dissent and blocking political opposition leads Salama A. Salama, in the latest edition of Al-Ahram Weekly, to suggest that the existence of democracy in Egypt is merely a façade.

Salama laments the corruption and inefficiency that plagues Egypt’s government, which seems more intent on continuing the “illusion of pluralism” than taking concrete steps to solve the myriad problems affecting its citizens. In addition to accusing Cairo of manipulating elections “beyond recognition,” Salama criticizes the government of President Hosni Mubarak for insulting the Egyptian people, whom the authorities apparently deem not yet ready for true democratic freedom.

He asserts: “And there is no denying that the absence of democracy and good governance is wreaking havoc on the entire nation.”

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