Labour protests in Egypt: Causes and meanings

Author's Department

Political Science Department

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https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2011.598342

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Review of African Political Economy

Publication Date

9-1-2011

doi

10.1080/03056244.2011.598342

Abstract

Egypt has experienced a wave of unprecedented labour protests since December 2006. Refuting moral economy and rational choice arguments as a basis for understanding labour unrest in Egypt, this paper argues that this wave of protests is an outcome of the rupture of the hegemonic ruling pact governing Egypt since 1952. As such, this movement, which includes both industrial workers as well as white-collar state employees, should be interpreted beyond its immediate material demands. Rather, the paper argues, the changing constituency, tactics, and internal organisation of the movement all point to the potential role that it can play in further eroding the corporatist-authoritarian structure governing state-society relations in Egypt. The paper concludes that this movement might be carrying the potential for wider democratisation. © 2011 Copyright ROAPE Publications Ltd.

First Page

387

Last Page

402

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