In scenes unthinkable at any time in this country’s vast history, millions of Egyptians waited patiently in long lines, often holding scraps of cardboard against the desert sun, debating with their neighbors which of the five leading contenders deserved their vote. “It is like honey to my heart,” said Mohamed Mustafa Seif, 36, an accountant voting in downtown Cairo. “For the first time in my life, I feel like I have a role to play. My vote could possibly make a difference.”
This was surprisingly in keeping with a timetable outlined in January (exactly one year after the revolution) in this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/world/middleeast/egyptians-mark-anniversary-of-revolt-in-tahrir-square.html
The other surprise was that the two candidates who received the most votes are the former prime minister under the old regime and the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, a sort-of worst-case scenario for those hoping for real change. A runoff between the two will occur in mid-June. Here is an article on this outcome from Egypt's oldest newspaper: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/36/122/42909/Presidential-elections-/Presidential-elections-news/Presidential-elections-nightmare-scenario-leaves-E.aspx
The questions here include whether democracy can take root in cultures, societies, and nations in which it is not rooted in history, and how other democracies will regard undesdirable outcomes of legitimately democratic elections.
I welcome your additional questions and resources in our discussion on Tuesday.
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