Political Economy as Historical Materialism: Nomenclature: 'A Rose is a Rose...'

Authors

Herbert B. Thompson

Files

Department

Cairo Papers in Social Science

Program

Cairo Papers in Social Science

Abstract

Political Economy may be seen as an attempt to cultivate a new intellectual and practical direction in examining the issues and prob­lems of the Middle East. The authors of this volume are concerned as to how the social -relations of historically specific structures in the Middle fast originate, operate and change. It is otvious that before facts are gatheed a theoretical and epistemological stance must be taken so as to assemble and analyze those particular facts relevant to speciftc issues and problems. The first two articles of this volume whi-ch are presented by Enid Hill and H.M. Thompson are concerned precisely with this point. The third essay is historical and is bas·ed on the premise that an understanding of the present includes a comprehension of the process of economic and political transfonnation. As Abdel Aziz Ezz el Arab argues, the legacy of the -Mam1uks remains with the Egyptian people even today as they struggle for the development of their nation. The last two articles by Gouda Abdel Khalek and Heba Ahmed Han­doussa develop a poignant critical analysis of two issues 'that are of tremendous significance to Egypt as the country moves into the decade of the 1980's, i.e., the "Open Door Economic Policy" and Egypt's public sector. The structural transformation of Egypt during the next ten years or so will depend-partially on how and in whose interests these issues are resolved.

Publication Date

1979

Document Type

Book Chapter

Book Title

Studies in Egyptian Political Economy

Editors

Herbert M. Thompson

ISBN

NA

Publisher

American University in Cairo Press

City

Cairo

First Page

29

Last Page

46

Series

Cairo Papers in Social Science 2(3)

Keywords

political, economy, egypt, open door policy, reform

Disciplines

Economic Policy | Near and Middle Eastern Studies | Political Economy

Recommended Citation

APA Citation

Thompson, H. B. (1979).Political Economy as Historical Materialism: Nomenclature: 'A Rose is a Rose...'. American University in Cairo Press. , 29-46
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/faculty_book_chapters/803

MLA Citation

Thompson, Herbert B. Political Economy as Historical Materialism: Nomenclature: 'A Rose is a Rose...'. American University in Cairo Press, 1979.pp. 29-46
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/faculty_book_chapters/803