Mechanisms of impoverishment of the rural poor in contemporary Egypt

Introduction Poverty in Egypt represents a serious social, economic and political problem. In spite, or perhaps because, of the economic liberalization and structural adjustment policies that aim (as claimed) at sustainable economic growth and increased employment, poverty remains a widespread phenomenon that increases over time. A recent review of the best available current statistical studies on poverty (Assaad and Rouchdy, 1998) concluded that at least one quarter of Egypt’s population is ..