Nasserism

Gamal Abdel Nasser

Nasserism is an Arab nationalist political ideology based on the thinking of the former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. It was a major influence on pan-Arab politics in the 1950s and 1960s, but slowly died away. It also metamorphosed into other nationalist movements during the 1970s. Nasser himself died in 1970. During his lifetime Nasserist groups were encouraged and often supported economically by like-minded factions in Egypt, and many were in effect reduced, sometimes willingly so, to what were seen as pro-regime puppets.

Ideology

Nasserism is a revolutionary Arab nationalist and pan Arab ideology, combined with a vaguely defined socialism; often distinguished from Eastern bloc or Western socialist thought by the label "Arab Socialism". It is a secular ideology, which led to conflict with the emerging Muslim radicalism, and argued for modernization, industrialization and the abolishment of traditional society. It was vehemently opposed to colonialism, and argued extensively against Zionism in this context, perceiving Israel as a modern-day Western colony on Arab soil. In world politics, Nasser's Egypt played a major part in the Non-Aligned Movement.

Today

Nasserism still exists as a political force in some Arab countries, but it is generally confined to minor opposition parties, writers and intellectuals. While Nasser ruled Egypt through a totalitarian one-party system, present-day Nasserists say they generally embrace democracy, and tend to stress the modernizing and secular strands of the ideology. However, some Nasserist activists complain of persisting autocratic practices within their own ranks. In addition, Nasserist parties receive little popular support in Egypt because, according to one of their leaders, the ideologies on which Nasserist parties are based no longer appeal to the Egyptian people ^[1].

References

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