A Hopeful Sign: Egyptian President Gives Up Dictatorial Powers

Protests played a big role in Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi slowing his dictatorial powers roll

William Weston, a sociology professor and moderate Democrat, is hopeful about the Arab Spring's role in breaking the Islamic world's anti-democratic tradition: "When an Islamist, Mohammed Morsi, was elected president after the overthrow of the dictator, many were worried. That he represents the Muslim Brotherhood, which had assassinated the previous president for making peace with Israel, was even scarier. However, I remain hopeful that having political responsibility will make the Muslim Brotherhood a more responsible and normal political party. I was very distressed, therefore, when President Morsi proclaimed dictatorial powers. The oppressed imitate their oppressors. However, there was broad and sustained resistance in Egypt to Morsi's dictatorship. Today, responding to the protests, Morsi annulled the decree giving him dictatorial power."