THE sudden widespread unrest in Egypt has revealed that Egypt's
so-called stability during the past few decades had masked
simmering public discontent, which was exacerbated by a growing
disparity in wealth.
According to the United Nations, Egypt's Gini coefficient is
34.4, making it the 90th most unequal country, in terms of income,
in the world. While physically sharing the same country, many
Egyptians, at opposing ends of the wealth spectrum, are actually
leading completely different lives.
Unfortunately for Egyptians, the Egyptian government appears to
have chosen to downplay the issue, an attitude which only added to
the widespread dissatisfaction against the government.
As we watch the drama unfold, we should also remind ourselves
about how a society which has been scrupulously developed and
managed for so long can easily fall apart if socio-economic issues
are not dealt with seriously in a timely manner.
After all, the physical facade of prosperity, if built upon a
weakening social fabric, could easily vanish like a mirage in the
desert.
Tan Eng Tat
running a country is so easy meh? especially a big one
like egypt.
