What may have led to these revolts
ALBANY, GA. -- Before we can know which direction Egypt is headed, it’s important to understand where it’s been.
For over 30 years, Egypt has struggled economically--and many are saying the people there are taking a cue from Tunisia, a country whose people were successful in overthrowing their leader. Wael Zahrouni is a student at Darton College and is from Tunisia. He also has a friend who lives in Egypt.
“Tunisia is like 10 million people and we kicked him out. Egypt is 90 million. Oh, he's going out! All of them. The bad ones are going out. It's just a matter of time,” Says Zahrouni.
He calls what's going on over there a "massacre", and fears for his friend's safety, but says the people there will not leave because they are so loyal to their country and are willing to fight for it.
Ted Butler, a world history professor at Darton College, says the unemployment rate is devastating. While official numbers say 7.9% unemployment, Butler says it is much higher. Much of the population is under 23 years of age, coming out of college with degrees, but no jobs. You combine that with high food costs due to bad crop seasons and the repressive government, and Butler says you have a perfect storm that produces these types of revolts.
“China has a very repressive government but people are making a lot of money. By contrast, in Egypt, they have a very repressive government, people aren't making a lot of money--this is a recipe for volatility,” Says Butler.
Egypt is the second largest recipient of aid from the U.S.—almost two billion annually. What worries officials most is what will future relations be like between a new Egyptian government and the U.S.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWFXL