Revolution vs. Democracy (revolution and conterrevolution in Egypt)

Grinin L.Ye.,

Dr. Sci. (Philos.), Principal Researcher, Centre for Stability and Risk Analysis, National Research University Higher School of Economics; Leading Researcher, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, leonid.grinin@gmail.com

elibrary_id: 250272 | ORCID: 0000-0003-0278-2619 | RESEARCHER_ID: D-8842-2012

Korotayev A.V.,

Dr. Sci. (Philos.), Dr. Sci. (Hist.), Professor, Head of Centre for Stability and Risk Analysis, HSE University; Senior Research Fellow, RUDN University; Professor of the Faculty of Global Studies, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, akorotayev@gmail.com

elibrary_id: 72980 | ORCID: 0000-0003-3014-2037 | RESEARCHER_ID: N-1160-2018

DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2014.03.09

Rubric: Orbis terrarum

For citation:

Grinin L.Ye., Korotayev A.V. Revolution vs. Democracy (revolution and conterrevolution in Egypt). – Polis. Political Studies. 2014. No. 3. https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2014.03.09

Abstract

The mass consciousness is filled with stereotype that revolution nowadays definitely leads to establishment of democracy. However, revolutions differ; some of them can cast the society away from its main track of development. One should keep in mind that revolution is an extremely painful and dangerous way to reform a society (especially a transit one). The article deals with various alternatives of correlation between revolutionary events and possibilities to establish a democracy in the context of globalization processes, historic examples and latest events in Egypt.

Keywords

democracy; revolution; Middle East; Egypt; reaction; extremists; Islamites; totalitarianism; military coup.