Histoire de la méritocratie et de la décadence

Between social distinctions linked to skin colour, language and lifestyles, a complex hierarchy undermines Egyptian national solidarity. Mohamed Naeem traces the history of Egypt over the last 200 years up to the 2011 revolution and reveals the deep tensions at the heart of society. He paints a vivid portrait and analyses the difficulty of building republican citizenship in a geopolitical context dominated by American imperialism and the rise of Islamism.

This enlightening, original and engaging work renews political writing by anchoring itself in the daily lives of Egyptians. It combines historical, sociological and cultural analyses, incorporating popular productions, and presents a nuanced reflection on the challenges of building a modern and democratic state.

Mohamed Naeem is a Marxist intellectual and Egyptian socialist politician who currently lives in exile. A founding member of the Democratic Left Movement, he actively participated in the January 2011 revolution and later co-founded the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. He publishes a weekly article in Al-Manassa on Arab affairs, class struggle, civil and personal liberties, and national liberation.

The collection includes works ranging from monographs to more general essays, from collective works to testimonials accompanied by critical apparatus. It favours empirical studies based on original field research, while promoting dialogue between specialists in North, West, East, South, Central and Island Africa.

It also considers comparative extensions to other cultural areas, particularly on issues of migration and diasporas, thus opening up to the continent's links with other regions of the world. It also republishes major texts on Africa, put into perspective, some translated into French for the first time.