Egypt's moment of reform and its reform actors: the variety–capability gap

Abstract

Since July 2004, Egypt has undertaken a comprehensive economic reform agenda, put forward by ‘newly’ emerging political and economic elites with different sources of legitimization than their predecessors. Economic reforms are accompanied by a limited package of political reforms. Following an actor-oriented approach to the analysis of Egypt's reform process, reform actors are defined by a striking dilemma: Reform actors on behalf of the regime show a comprehensive capability in designing the reform agenda (‘capability’) but only half-hearted efforts to seek public support for their reform package (‘variety’). Reform actors from the opposition do have sufficient public support but lack the instruments to alter the reform agenda. This ‘variety–capability gap’ results from the specifics of an authoritarian regime that only allows a limited degree of public dissent and participation (controlled pluralism). The degree of regime interference and repression regarding oppositional reform actors provides a clear indicator of their potential to acquire the capability not only to articulate their views but also to act on them. Finally, the categorization of Egyptian reform actors suggests rethinking the choice of partners for the European Union's democracy promotion in the Southern Mediterranean, which aims to foster peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.