Opinion
The Muslim Brotherhood, the state and the public sphere
March 12, 2013
The Muslim Brotherhood, the state and the public sphere
A toxic combination is unfolding under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Democratic transition vs. democratic transformation
March 10, 2013
Democratic transition vs. democratic transformation
My first encounter with the concept of “democratic transformation” was in South Africa in 2004, when I attended a seminar…
An Italian spring? Italy’s 2013 general election
March 9, 2013
An Italian spring? Italy’s 2013 general election
As results from Italy’s general elections on 24–25 February began trickling through, it was clear that the country’s scandal-ridden political…
The ‘good Muslim’ and the ‘bad Muslim’ in the African Sahara
March 5, 2013
The ‘good Muslim’ and the ‘bad Muslim’ in the African Sahara
Mungo Park, the famous 18th century Scottish explorer, had few good things to say about the Muslims he encountered on…
Mr. Barack Hercules Obama: Can you lift this settlement?
March 4, 2013
Mr. Barack Hercules Obama: Can you lift this settlement?
Looking for ways to improve my English when I first arrived in the US, I chanced upon a book about…
In search of an ‘identity’ card
March 3, 2013
In search of an ‘identity’ card
Nobody could have mistaken the horror this 6-year-old girl was experiencing. Nothing more tells of the fear that gripped her…
Terror in Tahrir
March 2, 2013
Terror in Tahrir
Women activists have protested all over the world against sexual violence in Egypt. The protests, which took place in front…
Dining and dancing in Egyptian politics
February 27, 2013
Dining and dancing in Egyptian politics
Egyptian politics are somewhat like a dining and dancing establishment. Egyptians attend to eat a filling meal, while being entertained…
Egypt’s conservative democracy
February 27, 2013
Egypt’s conservative democracy
“The transitional period is officially over,” President Mohamed Morsy said following the ratification of the country’s first post-revolutionary Constitution. Indeed,…
The revolutionary romance is over
February 25, 2013
The revolutionary romance is over
From the outset of the revolution, we had dreamy romantic perceptions that it would move us forward. We perceived the…