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 becamefour only, dealing with sovereign affairs, after economic activity wasleft free to individuals.
Under Isma'il
Isma'il was the man of anambitious development project, but in the matter of rule he belonged to the age of absolute government.
The conditions offoreign intervention caused by the debt crisismade the foreignersshare with him the affairs of government.
The Council of Ministers (Majlis al-Nuzzar, 1878)was an executive authority forwhatever the Khedive said.
The Council of Deputies (Shura al-Nuwwab, 1866)wasno more than an advisory body, not a legislative one; Isma'il wanted it as afaçade giving rule polish and lustre.
Why the council was only a façade
It wasnot formed because of popular demandbut was agrant from the ruler.
Theright to stand was confined to certain social strata: most members wereomdehs, sheikhs and notables, with a few owners ofcommercial and industrial concerns.
Educated men who were not notables had no sharein its membership.
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