Socioeconomic issues on Egypt

Nature resources are limited in  Egypt related to it´s powerfull neighborhood that has oil sources.

Great economic development its associated to the Nilo river. American academic Acemoglu refers in his late book: Why nations fail, countries who based their economy on nature resources explotation hardly will achieve high development level.

Solution may be to invest on Education to produce a technological development. Improve the industrialization phenomena with the support of Science. This would make economy to develope, a stronger politic system and to abandon dependance on foreign countries.

The american autor says its necesary for nations to have strong institutions with a quality performance. With no doubt, this is not Egypt case, since it has a non estable politic and its continuos politic changes.

The Religion-Political mix has been negative, and the big investment on weapons in a geographic place with strong issues.

One solution could be to achieve stable relations with the neighborhood, which may diminished budget and power to war and weapons , and to invest it on productive áreas like Health, Infrastructure an Education.

To conclude, it´s hard for this kind of countries to develope because of strong countries nearby, and taking in count that war its a big business. It seems better to Egypt to keep depending on nature resource explotation, since as they´ll maintan poor, they´ll keep subordinate.

The main problem of Industrial production in Egypt

 

The main problem of industrial production in Egypt is due to the lack of energy. Egypt experiences frequent electricity blackouts due in turn to three problems:

1.    Rising demand.

2.    Inadequate generation and transmission capacity

3.    Natural gas supply shortages

To meet the growing demand they should rationalize the use of energy for domestic and conspicuous consumption. Many high-income people consume a lot of energy in Egypt that could to serve the industrial sector.

Secondly, they should be planning to expand its energy sources and power system interconnection with countries in the Middle East and Africa like Saudi Arabia and Sudan, and construct more distribution infrastructure.

Moreover, they should replace nonrenewable   energy as proving gas with renewable energy sources. For example, they should expand solar–thermal power plant located in Kuraymat just south of Cairo. The World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency can help them to finance the construction as it did in the past.  Moreover they should expand use wind energy.  Egypt has abundant wind power resources, especially in the Gulf of Suez and Nile Valley. They are experience in build projects to generate wind power mainly from the Zafarana and Hurghada wind farms. The wind farm houses a number of wind projects that were developed in several stages and financed in cooperation with development banks from Germany, Denmark, Spain, and Japan.  I think they can get financial support from these countries in order to develop new projects.    

In conclusion I believe that Egypt should solve your problem of power to improve their industrial production. For this purpose they must rationalize energy use, should improve its distribution infrastructure, and must seek new sources of energy in partnership with other countries and developing more non-renewable energy such as solar and wind energy power sources.

Sustainable development in Egypt: Problems and solutions

These days,  Egypt faces two big problems related to sustainable development. First, water for agriculture is low. Second, tourism in the archelogical sites is not sustanable in the long time. Then I will examin this problems and I will raise some solutions.

To begin with, Egypt is an agriculture country. Production of cotton, sugar, corn, wheat is important in the global context. But, this production is concentred in the Nile valley. The big chance today is traslated the agriculture activity to de other places in the dessert. To solve this problem, the goverments are making to irrigation programs for carry water. The tecnology has an important contribution in this goal (FAO, 2013).

The second problem is sustainable tourism.The more important source of foreing exchance in Egypt is the tourism. However, presence the tourists in the archeological sites threat to impact this important place. Expected in the 2017 is receive 16 millons turists.

"In 2000 the international visitors arrivals in Egypt were almost 5.5 million visitor. With an average length of stay 6.9 day per visitor" (Randy, 2002). 

The goverments have formulating new questions as: "Beside the traditional tourism products, it is required to develop new products in order to promote the tourism of Egypt, such as eco-tourism in desert areas, formulate the newly found ruins in the sea of Alexandria as a product, etc".

In this proced solution is restrict the entry of turist to archeologicals sities and diversifity attractive activities places for tourists. 

References:

Randy, A. (2002) Tourism and development in Egypt. Available in http://planbleu.org/sites/default/files/publications/livreblanc_egy.pdf.

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Egypt/Egypt.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652604000137

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Middle_East

http://egyptmajec.blogspot.com/2011/01/importance-of-working-in-agriculture-in.html

Cultural developement: problems and solutions

Today in Egypt women seem to be in a dilema that immerse them in sadness and nostalgia.
On the one hand they have to assume the trappings of modernity; on the other hand they have to carry with the efects that goal brings to their married live...

For example, technology induces women to struggle keeping up with all the resposabilities they already have as women, and as wifes and mothers but also dealing with the challenges of quickly and uncertain cultural changes.

A very recognized art historian and literary egipcian writer, named Rasha Adli, launched recently a novel entitled "Agonizing women", where she point up this women circumstance of today. She emphasizes all dubts and insecurities that hit women because of the dilema above mentioned.
Also, Adli shows how women  feel blame because they have been since ever the center of knoted traditions which they have to mantain.

However, our art historian and writer Adli doesn´t give us a light about possible solutions. Specially because in an unexpected way she sustain the today´s egipcian women dilema is not only lived by them. Acoording to her view women from different epocs and places of the world have had to shoulder the same situation.

Even it is some how right, I would say it´s not in all ways. Certainly, women have had almost always the dilema of enduring the core of their cultural traditions, and taking innovations over, in most of the cases they have been able to do it with fortitud, optimismus and even joy.

Therefore, I would propose as a solution for that egipcian women´s sadness and nostalgia a time of reflexion, one "take it easy", and a special awareness of their capacities.




Would you like to know more about?
See: http://egypttoday.com/blog/2014/12/09/the-booklist-women-coming-undone/








In the next paragraphs we will see examples of the social and cultural situation af egyptian women. And we will have an opportunity to analize way there has been in the egypctian cultural hystoy a real problem in relation with women.
 

Images were taken from http://www.aldokkan.com/society/women.htm

I would name the problem: a descendently status of egyptian women, contrary to the world cultural development

In the ancient Egypt there was a very defined social hierarchy. At the bottom of that structure, were slaves and farmers. Slavery was thought as fate of those who were took as war prisoners.

Farmers tended the fields, raised animals, kept canals and reservoirs in good order, worked in the stone quarries, and built the royal monuments.

At the top were the gods, such as Ra, Osiris, and Isis.

Egyptians believed that the gods controlled the universe. Therefore, it was important to keep them happy.


In between and up from the bottom, we could find artisian, merchants, scribers, soldiers, government officials and finally the Pharaoh, which were believed to be one god in human form.
 ( See http://www.ushistory.org/civ/3b.asp)



Surprisingly, and unlike the position of women in most other ancient civilizations, including that of Greece, n that social structure women seems to have enjoyed the same legal and economic rights as the Egyptian man-- at least in theory. This notion is reflected in Egyptian art and historical inscriptions.

It is uncertain why these rights existed for the woman in Egypt but no where else in the ancient world.

In any case, Egyptian women have traditionally been preoccupied with household tasks and child rearing and have rarely had opportunities for contact with men outside the family.

But Egypt has some examples of women who had a special cultural and political position; Cleopatra and Nefertiti were among the few who had a major impact as rulers in Egyptian society. Cleopatra was known to have ruled with Marc Antony around 31 BC, despite her gender and other social issues; Nefertiti was the chief wife of an Egyptian pharaoh, Amenhotep IV. Nefertiti was known to be an active Egyptian woman in society, as well as her children. In addition to female Egyptian rulers, Hatshepsut had reigned in Egypt as pharaoh from about 1503 to 1480 B.C. and had based most of Egypt’s economy on commerce.

(See http://www.virtual-egypt.com/newhtml/special/women/)
 
What happens to woman in Egypt modern society?

Egyptian society is organized on the principle that men and women simply have different natures, talents, and inherent tendencies. This becomes most apparent in the realm of the family where each gender has a different part to play. Men are created for going out in the world and are responsible for providing financially for the family. Women are suited for remaining within family boundaries, caring for the home, the children, and the husband. Further, women's inherent sexuality is believed to be constantly endangering the social harmony of society (specifically, men) and is, therefore, best controlled through women's modesty and women remaining as much as possible within the private sphere of the family. This belief is reinforced through cultural and religious norms that are increasingly advocating that family roles of both women and men are fundamental in maintaining societal structure; dominant gender constructions therefore support keeping women in the home and oppose women working and abandoning their primary roles (Macleod 1991).

Nonetheless, contemporary images of women as economic assets and providers are rapidly coming into conflict with what are perceived as divinely inspired roles.

Read more: Egypt - Gender And Family - Women, Roles, Complementarity, and Society - JRank Articles http://family.jrank.org/pages/439/Egypt-Gender-Family.html#ixzz3MAUcfRum

One example of the social and cultural innovation in Egypt is the rule of Gamal Abdul Nasser (im power from1956 to1970). He was characterized by his policy of “stridently advocating women's rights through welfare-state policies, labeled as state feminism ”. Women were guaranteed the right to vote and equality of opportunity was explicitly stated in the 1956 Egyptian constitution, forbidding gender-based discrimination. Labor laws were changed to ensure women's standing in the work force and maternity leave was legally protected. At the same time, the state repressed independent feminist organizations, leaving a dearth of female political representation.

Even though, the contemporary Egypt manteins ancients traditions. For example, limiting women’s contact with men in public spaces, or practicing veiling and gender segregation at schools, work, and recreation have become common. Furthermore, lower class families, especially in Upper-Egypt, have tended to withdraw females from school as they reached puberty to minimize their interaction with males. Lower-class men frequently preferred marriage to women who had been secluded rather than to those who had worked or attended secondary school.

The economic liberalization plan of the Sadat regime (Governmental lieder from1970 to1981) would result in the collapse of this system and the resurgence of Islamist-influenced policy. While the Nasserist years allowed a wide range of study for women, Sadat's policies would narrow the opportunities available to women. Unemployment for women changed from 5.8% 1960 to 40.7% in 1986. In place of policies to economically support women during pregnancy, women were encouraged to leave work entirely or work part-time.

The Mubarak years were marked by further erosion of the role of women. For example, the parliamentary seats for women and the their personal status law were repealed in 1987, and a new law took its place giving less power for women in cases of divorce.

In 2013 gender experts said, Egypt was ranked worst for women's rights out of all the Arab states.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

In Egypt, there are a lot of much social problems, like in many countries, but I want to refer some of them.

Firstly, is important to consider that problems with islamic fundamentalists, because many women do not have rights like men: Under Egyptian law, only males can transmit citizenship to their children or spouses. Women have won employment opportunities in a number of fields, but Egyptian feminists fear these gains will be halted by resurgent Islamic fundamentalism. Muslim female heirs receive half of the amount of a male heir, and Christian widows of Muslims retain no inheritance rights. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Egypt-SOCIAL-DEVELOPMENT.html##ixzz3LaiAvVuX



A possible solution for this problem is enforced the laws pro women, defending their against domestic violence and erradicate the widespread practice of female genital mutilation. If the law is better, is probably that men have fear to abuse of the women.

Another problem presents in the social life, is discrimination and harassment of Christian minorities, because extremists have attacked churches and have killed Christians: In 2013, "according to the Maspero Youth Union, 38 churches have been burned and an additional 23 partially damaged across the country. Dozens of homes and businesses have been looted and/or burned" http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/egypt-government-must-protect-christians-sectarian-violence-2013-08-20.



Although this problem exists since 14th century, it could be stopped with the intensification in the rights of Christian minorities and education of the population's Egypt in the respect of the others. This is a controversy problem because has to do with the Muslim Religion.

FOREIGN AFFAIRES

Egypt is one of the most important countries in the geopolitics of the middle east, however one of the most troubled.

Successive political changes weaken againts its neighbors and even foreign policy driven by USA.

It is also one of the few arabian countries that recognize the neighbors Israel, wich has brought him many problems with their muslim peers

http://www.mfa.gov.eg/english/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.mfa.gov.eg/English/EgyptianForeignPolicy/EgyptianArabRelation/Pages/default.aspx 

http://www.mfa.gov.eg/gazaconference/default_en.html

Immigration in Egypt: two faces and one reality

Immigration in Egypt: two faces and one reality

The immigration in Egyps have two faces. On the one hand, Egyps is a migrant-receiving  country. The other hand, Egyps is a issuing country of emigrants.
Firsth, Egyps receiving each year thoutsands of people provied of the others african's countrys. Many people arrive to El Cairo because in yours countries don't hunt work. Other groupe of immigrants, fleeing violence. The religians conflics are reality in meddle east and central Africa. This situation is a problem in Egypt because increases proverty.

 The International Organitation of Migration estimed that 0,4% of population in Egyps is immigrant. OIM say Egyps is receiving many arabian people and asian workes together unemployement in Egypt.
Second, for many years, people travell from Egypt to Australia. It is the other side. Along to history, Egyptians migrate to Australia via Suez Canal. This people looking for a better way.

The Victoria Musseum say: "A large number of immigrants arrived in the late 1940s and 1950s, escaping the growing Arab nationalist movement in Egypt which saw the overthrow of the Egyptian monarchy and the subsequent Suez Crisis". Today, there are en Australia many people that born in this country but his parents were Egyptian.

In the next link us can see a map of Africa and border:

http://dalys.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/africa_pol_20032.jpg

Other map shows the long trip between Egypt and Australia

Two separete countries by 12448 kilómetres.

The most important immigration in the Egypt History

A long the Egypt History the most important immigration was  THE EXOODUS of the Jewish people. 
Moises was a biblical hero. He led out of Jewish slaves to the promised land.





References
 http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=15
https://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/where-we-work/africa-and-the-middle-east/middle-east-and-north-africa/egypt.html
http://dalys.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/africa_pol_20032.jpg

RELATIONSHIPS

"For most contemporary Egyptians, the family remains the central and most important institution in their everyday lives... The rights and obligations of husband and wife are defined by Islamic law, the division of labor by gender, and Egyptian cultural practice" http://family.jrank.org/pages/443/Egypt.html#ixzz3Kt9M3qCo
Due to 95% of the country's population is Muslim, therefore, family based in marriage is the support of the family. I think that meny people to take advantage of the religion law to maintain a power making up a patriarch structure.

"A Muslim marriage gives a wife the unconditional right to economic support from her husband regardless of her own financial resources. She also remains in control of her property, including inheritance or earned income"
http://family.jrank.org/pages/440/Egypt-Marriage-Family.html#ixzz3LKT6Fb9M



Husband had the power over his family, his wife and his children. There was a patriarchal structure. For example, husband had the power of choosing all things about economy and education of their children. However, "recently, changes in the law in favor of women have curtailed some of husbands' rights. Primarily, women are now able to file for divorce, especially in cases of domestic violence, and men must now legally file for divorce and cannot divorce a woman simply by uttering "I divorce thee" three times, as is permitted by the Qur'an" http://family.jrank.org/pages/440/Egypt-Marriage-Family.html#ixzz3LKWmGR4G
The changes in the society have produced many changes in relationships too. Many egyptians took advantage of the law of the Koran, to take decisions in well being of themselves. Did not think in the end of the law: having better relationships.

NON COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

This amazing artwork by Deviant Art user dvl1962, seems as if it was created by an ancient Egyptian who somehow had the technology to play futuristic video ...

DEVELOPMENT

Ancient Egypt was a civilization of ancient Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt.

Egypt today
Would you like to see some videos about the ancient egypcians powers??? Go to http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/ancient-egypt !!!!


It is amazing! Egypt began to exist as a unificated place around 3100 BC and it survive as preeminent civilization until 332 BC when Alexander the great conquest it…

We have been able to access to the ancient history of Egypt thanks to the monuments, objects and artifacts that have been recovered and the hieroglyphics that some time they come with most of which have been recently deciphered. 

In contrast, there is an article where you can read some perspectives of the contemporary Egypt: "Today’s Consumption in Egypt",  which resume says: "During the last decade Cairo has witnessed a flowering of shopping malls, ATM and mobile phone use, resort-style recreation, and fast-food consuming, all of which represent a radical departure from previous Egyptian consumer habits. These new behaviours symbolize Egypt’s increasing integration into the world capitalist system, if not its growing participation in multiple dimensions of globalization". Would you like to read it??? Go to https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/16992 !!!

More about culture and art  : see ancient art and civilization in this web page!!!