In the realm of developmental experiments spanning decades, visionary leaders play a pivotal role in shaping their trajectories.
Since the early 1960s, the world has witnessed a multitude of developmental experiments, each marked by its distinctive characteristics, internal dynamics, and the sectors it initially focused on, with subsequent expansion to other sectors.
However, the primary overarching observation from these experiments is the pivotal role played by visionary leaders in initiating each of them. South Korea's experience was launched by General Park Chung-hee in the mid-20th century. Singapore's experiment was founded by Lee Kuan Yew following its independence from Malaysia in 1965. China's journey was spearheaded by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s. Malaysia's experience was shaped by Mahathir Mohamad in the early 1980s.
The second commonality among these experiments is that each of them required a sufficient amount of time before bearing fruit and evolving into a clearly defined, replicable developmental model. The establishment of these experiments spanned several decades, primarily due to various factors, with a significant one being that each developmental experiment is rooted in a specific philosophy. Some of these experiments, for instance, focused on unbalanced development – concentrating on specific geographic regions initially, with the aim that development in these regions would later catalyze progress in other parts of the country. This approach was evident in China, where development began in the coastal eastern regions before gradually moving westward.
Other experiments started by concentrating on specific economic sectors and subsequently extending development efforts to other sectors. Thus, developmental experiments worldwide often involve multiple phases, varying impacts on societal strata, fluctuations in the relative importance of economic and social sectors, and the geographic positioning of regions within the nation's development agenda. However, they all ultimately adhere to a single philosophy.
This philosophy is closely tied to the political leadership's vision behind each of these experiments. Consequently, the continuity of these leadership figures becomes imperative not only to sustain the development process but also to preserve the unity of the philosophy underpinning the ongoing developmental experiment in Egypt.
What holds true for leading developmental experiences worldwide, especially those in Asia, also applies to emerging experiences, including the Egyptian experiment. Egypt embarked on its modern developmental journey when President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi assumed power in 2014. The Egyptian developmental model, too, is built upon a specific philosophy. This experiment began with reshaping the internal environment for development by dismantling the organizational, economic, and ideological structures of terrorism.
Concurrently, there was a focus on developing infrastructure as a fundamental prerequisite for development. Following that, rapid progress was made in developing social sectors, alongside a review of political structures through an ongoing national dialogue and other significant measures in this direction.
It's important to note here that the Egyptian experiment did not replicate any of the preceding Asian experiences. While many of these experiments prioritized economic development initially, postponing political reforms for decades, Egypt's experiment progressed on both tracks almost simultaneously. Furthermore, while some experiments focused on unbalanced development, the Egyptian experience emphasized balance, both geographically and across sectors, for various reasons.
In this way, each developmental experiment possesses its uniqueness and follows its specific philosophy. The environment in which the Egyptian experiment operates is characterized by a high degree of complexity at both regional and international levels, surpassing the complexity faced by any previous developmental experiment. This complexity is further compounded by limited financial resources. However, what distinguishes this experience is the presence of a determined political leadership.
In this context, the continuity of political leadership becomes a necessity, not only to sustain the development process but also to maintain the coherence of the philosophy underpinning the ongoing development experiment in Egypt.
Historical experiences support this notion. Deng Xiaoping, the architect of China's reform, remained in power for about 15 years (1978-1992). Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, led for 25 years following Singapore's independence (1965-1990). Mahathir Mohamad governed Malaysia for 22 years (1981-2003). Despite facing numerous internal challenges during the implementation of their developmental projects, the sustained presence of these leaders was a key factor in the success of their experiments.
Hence, it is essential to study these significant historical leaders when contemplating any developmental experience. We need only turn to academic writings that have examined these pioneering developmental experiences and the societies in South Korea, Singapore, and China to understand how they now regard these leaders as the founding fathers of the remarkable transformations they are witnessing. These are the international experiences that we should refer to when dealing with our own experience within a historical context, which clearly suggests that the continuity of developmental leadership is crucial. Leaders of this caliber are rare in the annals of nations.
In this light, the period from 2014 to 2030 in Egypt can be seen as one phase in laying the foundation for the Egyptian development experiment. It can even be argued that what has been achieved over the past nine years merely constitutes a necessary prelude to a major developmental leap in the coming phase."
* The director of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies
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