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The Not So Quiet Encroachment of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood: Understanding Their Rise and Fall Between January 25, 2011 and June 30, 2013

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.

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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):
SupervisorE-mailTutor organizationTutor 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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