Abstract
The European Union has provided various democracy aid programs to Egypt since 2013, yet the country’s democracy index has gone down since then[1]. Despite the stagnation in the trajectory of democratization, the EU expanded its democracy promotion aid programs in 2016 to encompass the independent cultural scene in Egypt. This thesis critically examines the reasons for the stagnation of democratization processes in Egypt, a MENA country that continues to be a recipient of the EU’s democracy promotion programs. It argues that there is a discrepancy between the EU’s stated democracy promotion rhetoric and its actions, a factor that necessitates a more transparent approach. More importantly, this dissertation uses the independent cultural sector as a mediator of democracy promotion. It does so by specifically studying the EU’s cultural diplomacy, exploring how the interactions between the EU cultural institutions and the independent cultural scene in Egypt contribute to democracy promotion. The study’s data relies on semi-structured interviews with 32 participants representing EU diplomats and Egyptian cultural artists to assess the European-Egyptian Cultural Programme from 2019 to 2023 as a case study. The findings reveal that EU cultural institutions, in their words, seem to be promoting democracy, while in their actions, they do not. On the receiving end, the Egyptian cultural actors and artists, while not openly opposing the Egyptian regime, are actively promoting democratic norms. They strategically accept EU funding while taking a critical stance towards the EU agenda and the Egyptian regime, showcasing their agency.
[1] See world data democracy index here: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/democracy-index-eiu?tab=chart&country=~EGY last checked on 28 May 2024
School
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
Political Science Department
Degree Name
MA in Political Science
Graduation Date
Spring 5-28-2024
Submission Date
5-19-2024
First Advisor
Dr. Nadine Sika
Committee Member 1
Dr. Sean Lee
Committee Member 2
Dr. Mostafa Hefny
Extent
99p.
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval
Approval has been obtained for this item
Recommended Citation
APA Citation
Massoud, M.
(2024).Communicating Politics Without Talking Politics: The Role of the European Union in the Game of Egyptian Culture. [Master's Thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2345
MLA Citation
Massoud, Mona. Communicating Politics Without Talking Politics: The Role of the European Union in the Game of Egyptian Culture.. 2024. American University in Cairo, Master's Thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2345