The Struggle for Constitutional Power

Law, Politics, and Economic Development in Egypt

Tamir Moustafa author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:12th Oct '09

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The Struggle for Constitutional Power cover

This book examines the politics of the Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court, the most important experiment in constitutionalism in the Arab world.

Standing at the intersection of political science, economics, and comparative law, The Struggle for Constitutional Power challenges conventional wisdom and provides insights into perennial questions concerning the barriers to institutional development, economic growth, and democracy in the developing world.For nearly three decades, scholars and policymakers have placed considerable stock in judicial reform as a panacea for the political and economic turmoil plaguing developing countries. Courts are charged with spurring economic development, safeguarding human rights, and even facilitating transitions to democracy. How realistic are these expectations, and in what political contexts can judicial reforms deliver their expected benefits? This book addresses these issues through an examination of the politics of the Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court, the most important experiment in constitutionalism in the Arab world. The Egyptian regime established a surprisingly independent constitutional court to address a series of economic and administrative pathologies that lie at the heart of authoritarian political systems. Although the Court helped the regime to institutionalize state functions and attract investment, it simultaneously opened new avenues through which rights advocates and opposition parties could challenge the regime. The book challenges conventional wisdom and provides insights into perennial questions concerning the barriers to institutional development, economic growth, and democracy in the developing world.

'The revision of a doctoral dissertation accepted by the University of Washington, Professor Tamir Moustafa's The Struggle for Constitutional Power: Law, Politics and Economic Development in Egypt is a model of outstanding scholarly research. This book deals with an important topic, and Moustafa does it justice. Not only does this volume constitute a comprehensive analysis of political and economic change in Egypt during the past 40 years, but it suggests new directions for scholarly research for students of comparative law and legal systems. No specialist in the fields specified can afford to ignore this important study.' Law and Politics Book Review
'This is an important book, to be read by scholars and students of comparative constitutionalism and constitutional democracy. Moustafa addresses fundamental questions such as whether democracy is a necessary prerequisite for effective judicial power. He challenges the common assumption that courts in authoritarian states are pawns of the regime and obstacles to the realization of minority rights. … Highly recommended.' Choice

ISBN: 9780521124416

Dimensions: 231mm x 4mm x 18mm

Weight: 560g

340 pages