Abstract

It is to be noted that the ideological and theoretical debate concerning issues of social evolution and development in Egypt was generally state centered, and relied heavily on theoretical concepts such as bureaucratic authoritarianism, Oriental despotism and the Asiatic mode of production. For some considerable time the state seemed formidable enough to have subdued society through its authoritarian mechanisms such as the military, the security institution and the centralized economy. This study seeks to achieve two main objectives: First, to discuss and explain the dynamics of Egyptian mode of authoritarianism during the presidencies of Gamal Abdul Nasser (1952 - 1970), Anwar Sadat (1970 - 1981) and Hosni Mubarak (1981 - present). Secondly, to look at the future prospects for establishing a democratic state in Egypt based on constitution and constitutionalism.

Key words: Pharaonicism, democratization, liberalization, civil society, Naser, Sadat, Mubarak