Between Social Populism and Pragmatic Conservatism

Abstract

What were the Muslim Brotherhood’s main economic and social orientations during its brief experience in power? Is it possible to identify the components of an Isla m ist economic doctrine? Were the Brotherhood ’s economic views at odds with economic governance during the Mubarak era or did they fall in line with past policies? Can the political failure of the Islamists be explained by their inability to overcome the structural contradictions of Egypt’s political economy? The following pages will attempt to answer these questions by examining the “Renaissance” (al-nahda) project that underpinned Mohammed Morsi’s presidential election platform. The concrete initiatives taken by MB legislators during their short stint in power will also be scrutinized.