FREE TRADE AND DEMOCRATIZATION: THE OMINOUS LINK IN THE CASE OF EGYPT *
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Tarih
2019
Yazarlar
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Özet
This article shall examine the frequently studied relationship between free trade and democratizationby taking Egypt as the case study. Egypt has gradually removed barriers against free trade over the years butunlike the claims of some studies in the literature, economic development stemming from free trade policiesdid not transform Egypt into a country with a more pluralist political system. The reason that trade liberalizationhas not been instrumental in Egypt’s democratization is related with the fact that Egypt’s trade liberalizationpolicies were designed, negotiated and implemented by a small group of politicians who happened to have closeties with the business world and in some cases, they directly hailed from the business world. Naturally, thesepolicies merely reflect narrow crony capitalist interests, at the expense of other social classes, particularly themiddle class. Thus, as far as the Egyptian example is concerned, the relationship between free trade anddemocratization could be labelled as ominous since middle classes are generally regarded as instrumental inthe formation a democratic system and trade liberalization or neoliberal economic policies in general have beenpursued to the detriment of middle class Egyptians.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
Siyasi Bilimler, Sosyoloji, İktisat
Kaynak
Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi
WoS Q Değeri
Scopus Q Değeri
Cilt
74
Sayı
4
