THE INTEREST-BASED RELATIONS OF THE RULING ELITES AS THE DETERMINING MAIN VARIABLE IN U.S.-EGYPT RELATIONS

Abstract

This study is based on the claim that the main determinant in US-Egypt relations during the Hosni Mubarak era (1981-2011) was the mutual interests of the power elites of both countries. The process that began at the political level between the two countries during the Sadat era evolved into economic and political relations between the political elites, gaining a social dimension during the Mubarak era. The relations between the power elites of the two countries have been influential in determining foreign policy relations. In this study, case analysis and process analysis research techniques have been utilized. The relations between the US and Egypt are evaluated according to the basic concepts of Neo-Gramscian theory, including material resources, institutions, ideology, historical bloc and dominant social classes. The hypothesis that the most decisive dynamic in the political determination between the US and Egypt are the mutual interest relationships and ideological alignments among the dominant social classes will be explained.