Egypt

Subject  > Area & Country Studies Essays

Modern Egypt always has been a difficult country to govern. Physical control has been a relatively simple task, for the Egyptians are by nature a submissive people. But positive plans for development continually have been defeated by Egyptian inertia and lack of public responsibility. True, in the past, "strong men" --such as Mohamed Ali, dictator of Egypt for over forty years, and Khedive Ismail--have imposed their will on Egypt. When they passed from the stage, however, their accomplishments were dissipated by the ineptness of their successors and by the apathy of Egypt's ruling classes. The nationalist revival during the period of British occupation revealed a public awareness among a segment of Cairo's population, but this seldom was transacted into positive achievements. ...

... he worry about being "accepted," for he has established himself as an exceptionally qualified leader. Moreover, he has the experience of seven turbulent years in power (National Bank of Egypt 210). In the past, Nasser's impulsive desire to be in the limelight has prompted him to overplay his hand. Recent events suggest that he is gaining moderation with the passage of time. His failures in Syria and Iraq have been sobering; and his frontal attack on Communism, in March and April of 1959, suggests that he will hesitate in the future before again committing himself heavily to Communist support. The ultimate decision is Nasser's. If he so chooses, he can become one of the great

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