AbstractsPolitical Science

With the combination of a political and economic approach, this paper will try to highlight the different causes behind the Egyptian Armed Forces having much influence on Egyptian politics - both internally and externally. On the national aspect, the Armed Forces’ relations with the upper class will be examined using C. Wright Mills’ “Power Relation” theory, stating that there exists a common worldview among the elite where power rests in addition to the rentier state theory which shows that the Armed Forces aren’t dependant on the Egyptian population. Afterwards the project will try to define the actual role played by the Camp David Accords in insuring foreign aid from the United States and study the function of this aid in maintaining the Armed Forces’ status in the Egyptian society. This will be done using the two international relations thinkers Mearsheimer and Keohane. The conclusion of the project is that the Egyptian Armed Forces obtains its influence, in the Egyptian society, from close national relations to people in key positions. This influence is strengthened by the foreign aid provided by the US thus obstructs any democratic progress in the country.