A Democracy With Fangs And Claws And Its Effects On Egyptian Political Culture - Statistical Data Included

Arab Studies Quarterly (ASQ), Summer, 2001 by Joshua A. Stacher

The sense of political alienation was further reconfirmed by those surveyed when only 36 percent could identify a political party or tendency as representing them, while a massive 40 percent claimed no political party in the country represented them. [46] Al-Ahram Weekly concluded that, "the answers to this question seemed to confirm in a dramatic way what many political analysts have been suggesting for sometime, namely the existence of a large 'silent majority' standing largely outside the arena of struggle between political parties and tendencies, and viewing it with a high degree of indifference or cynicism." [47] While this is what Egyptian political observers may have been saying, Al-Ahram's recorded poll not only shows the divided nature of the people's perception of political game, it also alludes to their desire to remain outside the political system.

A second more in-depth study was conducted and published by the GDD, whose opinion pail began on 1 October 1996 and ended in March, 1997. The poll included a total of 5,100 respondents in the seven electoral districts of Dar Al-Salam (Cairo Governate), Tarawat (Cairo Governate), Imbaba district (Giza), Al-Saff district (Giza), Shibeen Al-Kom district (Menofeya), Belqas district (Al-Dakahlya), and Senouras district (Al-Fayoum). The GDD claims to have used a random sampling method, yet it also attempted to sample a "real representation of all social groupings and sectors, so as to reflect the overall way of thinking in society concerning the issues under study." [48] The main criteria that had to be met was that one had to be over the age of 18, which is the legal voting age, so accurate figures on participation could be attained. [49]

When one looks at the responses regarding politics in general the results seem to lend weight to the argument that the nurturing of an isolated, apathetic polity is working. Indeed, 88 percent of those surveyed claimed not to be affiliated with a political party, The majority (66.69 percent) did not care for politics, and a huge 94.32 percent were not participating or affiliated with a civil society organization. [50] Furthermore, while 47.36 percent of those polled were registered to vote on electoral lists, 38.56 percent were unaware of how to register, and 22.66 percent cited a lack of trust in the election process. [51] In addition, and demonstrating a lack of tolerance which further weakens the vital component to a democratic political culture, 33.96 percent of the respondents felt that some groups, such as the Akhwan il-Muslimeen (Muslim Brotherhood), should be excluded from political participation. [52] While no practical survey can substantially stand as the sole representation of a nation of 65 mill ion people, it can provide a foundation of tendencies and patterns that can be used in assessing political culture. Thus, it is reasonably sound to assume that mass political culture is largely divided, uninterested, and unmotivated to push the politicians who rule them for a more open system. Without the motivation to insist on a change in the system, the status quo has a better chance to remain in force.