Abstract
During the 1990s, Egyptian society faced an upsurge of violent Islamist attacks by various
jihadist inspired groups in which over a thousand people died. In the midst of increasing
government suppression and public disgust at these terrorist attacks, other Islamist groups, such
as the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) sought to re-orientate their dialogue and strategy towards a
more pluralistic rhetoric. Concepts such as human rights, political pluralism and democracy
were intermingled with the traditional Islamist narrative. The Egyptian experience, especially
in relation to the transformation of the MB is worth discussing in order to address genuineness
of this Islamist reorientation towards a new political agenda. Questions relating to positive
democratic development and political pluralism need to be ascertained to assess whether the
MB‘s transformation is mere democratic window-dressing brought about to gain power, or it is
a realisation that a true alternative Egyptian hegemon must adapt to changing times amidst the
face of a pluralistic populace. While the Egyptian experience is still being played out, there are
indications that suggest the MB is in the midst of organisational change, yet with generational
struggles constraining it. This paper shall utilise numerous political theories to produce a
theoretical framework for examining power relations in the context of cultural currency and
value norms in Egyptian society and how this can harness the ability to build a broad based
consensual hegemon throughout Egypt. These emerging issues are replacing old power
dynamics based on traditional hierarchical structures, and material capabilities such as military
dominance and economic tribalism. Thus, central to this paper is highlighting the
methodological framework necessary to explore the democratic credentials within the Egyptian
Islamist counter-hegemonic movement.
Ms. Gillian Kennedy. (2011) THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE EGYPTIAN ISLAMISTS: GENUINE VALUE PLURALISM OR DEMOCRATIC WINDOW-DRESSING?, Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, Volume 1, Issue 2 .
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