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The executive and legislative authorities

The executive and legislative authorities

Point 3 of 5 — Lesson 17: Egypt under the Successors of Muhammad Ali and Ismail – Education, Culture, Government and ArmyQuestion bank: 0 questions (0 with pictures)

03The executive and legislative authorities

Under Abbas and Said

  • Absolute rule and the concentration of powers continued, and the Council of Shura was more neglected than before.
  • The number of diwans (ministries) was reduced because political and economic activity contracted after Muhammad Ali was brought low; they became four only, dealing with sovereign affairs, after economic activity was left free to individuals.

Under Isma'il

  • Isma'il was the man of an ambitious development project, but in the matter of rule he belonged to the age of absolute government.
  • The conditions of foreign intervention caused by the debt crisis made the foreigners share with him the affairs of government.
  • The Council of Ministers (Majlis al-Nuzzar, 1878) was an executive authority for whatever the Khedive said.
  • The Council of Deputies (Shura al-Nuwwab, 1866) was no more than an advisory body, not a legislative one; Isma'il wanted it as a façade giving rule polish and lustre.

Why the council was only a façade

  • It was not formed because of popular demand but was a grant from the ruler.
  • The right to stand was confined to certain social strata: most members were omdehs, sheikhs and notables, with a few owners of commercial and industrial concerns.
  • Educated men who were not notables had no share in its membership.

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