Russia and Egypt: Conflicts in the political elite and protest movements in 2011–2012

Abstract

This article describes some reasons that initiated protest movements in Russia and Egypt in 2011. The author thinks that the conflict in the political elite made was an important background that made thousands of people take to the streets of the cities. Russian and Egyptian political systems, that seem to be so different, had much in common in fact: hidden struggle between conservative «people of force» and liberals. The situation was aggravated by the coming elections and consequences of the international economic crisis. The research is based on Russian and Egyptian Media materials.

Keywords

• Poltical elite
• Egypt
• Russia
• Putin
• Medvedev
• Mubarak
• “Arab Spring”
• Revolt