ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the transformation of the Egyptian political system from full or hegemonic autocracy under Nasser to liberalized autocracy under Sadat and Mubarak. Full autocracies do not allow for autonomous political or social organization and they tend to subsume different social groups under the direct control of the regime, or the ruling party, through a series of corporatist and hierarchical arrangements. Though elections are sometimes held in full autocracies, these elections tend to be restricted to the members of the ruling party and their outcomes are almost always determined in advance. Finally, in full autocracies power tends to be concentrated in the executive branch or in the ruling party whereas the legislative and the judicial branches of government lack autonomy and act as extensions of the executive.
