Authoritarianism in Egypt has been witnessed through the state control of resources which are crucial in decision making and economic emancipation. This is left in the hands of few elites with little regard of the ideologies they hold leading to poverty and corrupt politics.
Authoritarian rule in Egypt has nurtured a perception that a small number of experts is capable of using a central approach in carrying out economic planning and making correct choices on behalf of an entire country’s population (Egypt, 2006). According to the authoritarian leaders of Egypt, central control is important in ensuring equal distribution of economic resources.
However, the authoritarian rule benefits the political class since they are capable of evading poverty associated with the system. They have the ability to secure favor from the government for their own gains. This has greatly contributed towards the revolution and uprising that has been witnessed in Egypt (Egypt, 2006).
Mubarak and his authoritarian government have come up with many strategies to suppress Egyptians. For instance, social welfare organizations have been barred from offering service to the citizens who have been adversely affected by poverty and political marginalization.
Among the repressive laws constituted is the emergency law which makes the 1971 constitution useless. Authoritarian rule has also been accused of imprisoning politicians and making use of military courts in convicting civilians .
Conclusion
Although the type of rule in Egypt is not explicit military dictatorship, it could be termed as an authoritarian system backed by the military. Mubarak has served as an air force officer in the past thus he has full backing of the military and other security organs.
He is always assured of the support of these organs whenever he requires them. Such support is used by the government in the wrong way to continue ruling the country in an authoritarian manner.
Reference
Egypt. (2006). In S. Tatic & C. Walker (Eds.), Countries at the Crossroads: A Survey of Democratic Governance. Plymouth, UK: Freedom House. Web.