Lindeman, Carolien
(2016)
The Not So Quiet Encroachment of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood: Understanding Their Rise and Fall Between January 25, 2011 and June 30, 2013.
Master thesis, Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation.
Abstract
The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood was the first Islamist organization elected
into office with a large majority. This unique situation provides an interesting
case study for the opportunities that are available to an Islamist organization.I
argue that the study of the Brotherhood’s political opportunities, mobilizing
resources and framing efforts gives a look into the workings of an Islamist
organization in power.
I also pose that such a social movement theory (SMT) analysis is greatly
enhanced by including Asef Bayat’s concept of quiet encroachment of the
ordinary. I argue that this gears SMT more toward the specific study of an
Islamist organization in an Arab nation. Moreover, it recognizes the key role of
citizens in the Islamist group’s position and the influential role of religion. Lastly,
using Bayat’s concept allows me to use three core concepts that are an intrinsic
part of that concept in my discussion, namely: globalization, space and agency.
I apply this adjusted conception of SMT to three recent key periods in the
Brotherhood’s history between 2011 and 2013, capturing both the rise and fall
of the group within society. As data I use the input of three English language
Egyptian news websites and the Brotherhood’s own Ikhwanweb.com. After
applying my new understanding of SMT to this data, I come to three major
conclusions. Firstly, I maintain that by tapping into the power of quiet
encroachment among disenfranchised Egyptians, the Brotherhood was able to
gain in political power. I secondly argue that tapping into the quiet
encroachment powers of ordinary Egyptians was a condition for the
Brotherhood to stay in power. Lastly, anyone can tap into this quiet
encroachment of Egyptians. The one who does this most successfully is the one
most likely to be in power.
This thesis concludes with the recommendation that the Brotherhood’s
pathway to influence in Egypt, be it political or societal, is by harking back on
their Islamist background of helping and being part of the lives of the
disenfranchised.
Keywords: Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt, Islamism, Islam, social movement
theory, quiet encroachment, democracy, globalization, space, agency, ikhwanweb
| Type: |
Thesis
(Master)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
| Supervisor | E-mail | Tutor organization | Tutor email |
|---|
| Buitelaar, M.W. | M.W.Buitelaar@rug.nl | | | | Wilson, E.K. | E.K.Wilson@rug.nl | | |
|
| Degree programme: |
Master Religion Conflict and Globalisation |
| Academic year: |
2014- 2015 |
| Date of delivery: |
18 Nov 2016 |
| Last modified: |
18 Nov 2016 12:46 |
| URI: |
https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/80 |
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