Democratization and Islamization in Egypt: Counterbalancing Forces for Autocracy

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Promoting democracy is one of three core objectives outlined by President Clinton in 'A National Security Strategy for a New Century'. Democratization, however, is a complex concept. There is "no universally accepted or clearly defined model of democracy, even of Western democracy, that can simply be adopted by people engaging in democratization." Egypt is engaged in the dynamics of democratization amidst resurgence of political Islam among its 94% Muslim population. "As a result of its cultural, economic, and military influence, what happens in Egypt is of disproportionate importance to US policy." How Egypt answers the juxtaposed calls by its populace for empowerment through democratization and Islamization could result in actions counter to regional stability and the interests of the United States. The key variable in this equation is how the Islamist movement is dealt with. Algeria offers a brief example of full Islamist empowerment in a situation similar to Egypt's, the result of which continues to have a profound impact on Egyptian politics.