THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD FOLLOWING THE “25 JANUARY REVOLUTION”: FROM THE IDEALS OF THE PAST TO THE POLITICAL CHALLENGES OF THE PRESENT.

Abstract

In the framework of the Arab Spring, as the wave of social mobilisationof 2011 has come to be known, the revolutions in Tunisia and Egyptmarked the beginning of a process which has deeply transformed the realityof many countries in the Arab World. In Egypt, the events that tookplace in Tahrir Square not only put an end to President Mubarak's dictatorship,but also paved the way for new political actors, among whichthe Muslim Brotherhood has played a key role. During the subsequenttransition, the Brotherhood gained control of the National Assemblyand positioned their leader, Mohamed Mursi, as the new President. Thepresent debate is focused on the true democratic vocation of this movementand its relationship with the other social forces inside Egypt andbeyond. This article intends to address these issues. To that end, it beginswith an explanation as to the ideological and political evolution of theMuslim Brotherhood and its internal changes brought about by the endof the previous regime, closing with an analysis of its transnational influenceand the possible international aftermaths.