Social Movements, the State and External Forces in Modern Egypt

Abstract

This chapter investigates the rise and characteristics of social movements in modern Egypt from the nineteenth century onwards. Continuing the socio-historical focus of the book it analyses what forms or repertoires of protest developed out of the contradictory experience of modernity and the politics of the nation-state during this period. It focuses on the role of external forces which were vital in shaping these experiences and, as new social forces emerged, it discusses the political trends that competed to appeal to them. As in Iran, Egyptian social movements did not arise out of a clash between modernity and tradition. Egypt was incorporated into the world capitalist economy by the early nineteenth century through trade and the production of raw materials for sale to European markets and Egyptian society displayed most, if not all, of the aspects which have traditionally constituted modernity in European countries, such as a modern state, communications and transport. It was in the context of this experience of modernity, colonialism and imperialism that nationalist movements, workers’ movements and communism, women’s movements and feminism and Islamic movements arose. These social movements have, in turn, played varyingly important roles in Egyptian political life for over a century.