Youth Movements In Egypt Since The Middle East Upheavals:developments And Political Practice

Youth movements have become a significant epitome of Egypt's political development and social changes.Since the beginning of the 21 st Century,youth movements have grown rapidly in Egypt,and witnessed an increasing development in their high-organized structure,social mobilization and political participation have been increasing.Before and after the January 25 th Revolution in 2011,the political resistance movement dominated by Egyptian youth groups had become a key driving force in the fall of Hosni Mubarak regime.This thesis explores the development of youth movements and their interaction with politics,society and trend of thought in Egypt,from levels of organizational form,social thoughts,political participation.At the level of organizational form,religious political organizations represented by the youth branch of Muslim Brotherhood,rebel groups represented by “April 6th Youth Movement”,Islamic parties such as Al-Nour Party,and Ultras groups mainly as“White Knights” and “Ahlawy”,constitute main types contemporary youth movements in Egypt.In the organizational process Egyptian youth movements,member recruitment,organizational structure,mobilization mode,struggle forms,operation ideas and funding sources determine the practice and effects of their political struggles.As for trends of social thoughts,the ability of mobilization for religious and political forces,represented by each of radical Islamism and Islamic populism,had been significantly improved during “January 25 th Revolution”.As forms of Islamic populism,the “April 6th Youth Movement” and the Ultras groups enhanced collective identity of youth based on common Islamic values through social mobilization in political struggles,and had a fierce competition with secular authoritarian forces,thus played a key role in its participation in and pushing for political reconstruction and social vicissitude of Egypt.In terms of political participation,the “January 25 th Revolution” promoted political participation consciousness of Egyptian youth,and help the establishment ofIslamic parties led by youth groups.The youth movements have had a profound effect upon political development and social transformation in contemporary Egypt,through deepening their political participation,developing youth political culture and promoting decision-making of the government.Meanwhile,a positive interaction between the youth and the government have further promoted the process of democratic politics and social reforms in Egypt.