ABSTRACT

This book provides an analysis of the relationship between the Egyptian army and the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). This is at times of cooperation, collaboration, rivalry, and enmity, offering a vivid perspective as to how the similarities of both political actors bring them together after decades of invisible presence in the Egyptian political field.

Using ethnographic material that includes interviews, observations, and other forms of expression, both political actors’ common trajectories are analyzed in terms of power dynamics. The study allows an insight on the understanding of the differences between madani (civil), ‘askari (military), and dini (religious), how they are used and projected on the Egyptian political field. Finally, the book provides a dialogue simulation of the discourse of the MB and army, starting 2011, while analyzing the meaning of this exchange in terms of symbols, power, and mobilization.

In highlighting similar elements to their respective governmentalities, this book outlines a new analysis of the rivalry, making it an important contribution for scholars and students interested in collective violence, civil–military relations, and political Islam in the Middle East.

chapter |2 pages

Prologue

chapter |19 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|21 pages

An eternal rivalry

Historical tracing of the origins of the rivalry

chapter 3|11 pages

Territory, population, and state apparatus

The power dynamics of two noncivilian political actors

chapter 4|12 pages

Collective violence and contention 1.0

Collective violence and failed negotiations

chapter 7|24 pages

Rejuvenation and power struggle

A renewed rivalry

chapter 8|14 pages

Revisited aspects and repercussions of the renewed rivalry

Coup d'état and collective violence 2.0

chapter |12 pages

Conclusion