Diagnose the viability of separation of power in Egypt: a cybernetics perspective
ISSN: 0368-492X
Article publication date: 15 December 2021
Issue publication date: 24 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to diagnose the Egyptian political system from the perspective of the viable system model (VSM). That in turn gives us significant insights on how to improve the distribution and control of power in Egypt to warrant greater autonomy and representativeness in the branches of government.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed diagnostic framework in this study was accomplished by applying the principles and aspects of Stafford Beer's VSM to the three state powers of Egypt: the executive, legislative and judiciary. In addition, it adopts the guidelines for applying the VSM described by both Stafford Beer and José Pérez Ríos.
Findings
The presented framework in this study shows a comprehensive explanation of the essential functions and their distribution among the entities of the Egyptian political system. In addition to that, the findings give us insights about the need for greater autonomy and self-organization among the political system's entities. Greater communication, consensus, cooperation and coordination is needed to achieve balance, regulate the interactions between them and to monitor each other without intervention. This, in turn, would ensure greater representation of citizen demands and expectations, and protect and guarantee their rights and freedoms.
Originality/value
The modeling of the Egyptian political system from a VSM perspective suggests the necessity of reform of the political system by a clear division of functions and tasks within the operational entities and subentities, decentralization of power structures and utilization of the decision marketing mechanism to reach public acceptance. The application of the VSM, for the sake of diagnosing and designing the viability of separation of power, can be considered as highly original.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author sincerely appreciates all valuable comments and suggestions, which helped her to improve the quality of the paper.
Citation
Zeini, N.T. (2023), "Diagnose the viability of separation of power in Egypt: a cybernetics perspective", Kybernetes, Vol. 52 No. 4, pp. 1351-1369. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-07-2021-0566
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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