The Egyptian Revolution

Paper Summary:

Through an examination of both Machiavelli and Weber's theories regarding the acquisition of power, the practice of authority, and the basis of legitimacy, this paper attempts to prove that the two theories not only complement each other, but complete each other. Following the theoretical discussion, the paper attempts to apply the conclusions of the theoretical section to Egypt's second, and possibly most important president, Gamal Abdel Nasser. Furthermore, the paper attempts to demonstrate that, while Nasser may have initially acquired legitimacy as Egypt's leader due to his charismatic nature, fulfilling one of Weber's three sources of legitimacy, he would not have maintained power nor the ability to exercise authority had he not resorted to a more Machiavellian form of power-play, befriending enemies and then undercutting them, making examples of those who opposed him to prevent further opposition, additionally undermining the power of friends, such as Abdel Hakim Amer, as soon as he perceived them to have excessive power and a base of popularity, which could act as a motivation for acquisition of power and a basis for the legitimate exercise of authority.

From the Paper:

"Among the fundamental political terms that are in everyday use are authority, power and legitimacy. Most frequently use these words in their daily conversations, referring to a wide variety of power processes, practices of authority and types of legitimacy. For instance, many Egyptians angrily discuss their President's apparently limitless scope of power, his authority over all aspects of government and decision-making, questioning the very basis of his legitimacy, or right to such power and authority. Although they come close to the meaning of these terms, they have not fully grasped their implications, nor would most have guessed that each has undergone a long process of definition and redefinition or that political scientists have yet to forward single comprehensive definitions for each, agreed on by all. In other words, while each of authority, power and legitimacy are commonly used everyday words, this research paper cannot proceed without defining these terms within a political framework."

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