Date of Defense
Fall 12-15-2011
Date of Graduation
Fall 12-2011
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Gunther M. Hega, Political Science
Second Advisor
Mustafa Mughazy, Foreign Languages
Third Advisor
Howard J. Dooley, History
Keywords
Egypt; Economic Development; Koosa; Political Stability
Abstract
Egypt is one of the most powerful countries of the Arab world, and yet it is still considered a developing country. Two of the major problems with which modern Egypt is struggling are a lagging economy and political instability. Though no single issue has caused the current economic and political conditions, one central causal factor is widespread corruption. Egyptians could spend hours over coffee discussing the issue of corruption- or “koosa,” as it is often referred to in Egyptian colloquial, meaning connections or favoritism.
In February 2011, Egypt became one of the first nations of the “Arab Spring” to overthrow its authoritarian government, namely the Mubarak regime. This essay will seek to answer the following questions: (1) How did corruption become so widespread in today’s Egypt, (2) how has corruption affected Egypt’s economy, and (3) what role did the demand for ending corruption play in the 2011 revolution?
This essay will show that corruption had become endemic to Egypt, particularly through recent corrupt administrations, including Mubarak’s administration. In addition, corruption has had adverse effects on Egypt’s economy. It has been one cause of the sharp disparity between the wealthy and the poor, has redirected funds out of the country, and has inhibited the successful establishment of businesses unalloyed with the regime. Finally, in the 2011 revolution, ending corruption was a defining demand of protestors and opposition groups to Mubarak’s government, and has continued to be a spotlight issue. In conclusion, one final question will be addressed: What are the possibilities that a new government can start afresh and keep corruption to a minimum? If corruption has become so widespread in Egypt, there may or may not be “a light at the end of the tunnel” for extricating it from the governmental and political systems, or from society as a whole.
Recommended Citation
Aubermann, Ashley V., "Corruption in Egypt: The Effects of 'Koosa' on Economic Development and Political Stability" (2011). Honors Theses. 738.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/738
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Campus Only