"Checkpoints, Law, and Coercion: Egypt’s 30-Year State of Exception and Its Social Impacts"

This paper delves into the intricate relationship between Egypt’s legal system and the establishment of a police state during Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule (1981–2011). It argues that rather than existing independently, the legal and police apparatuses worked in tandem to create and sustain a state of exception. Central to this analysis is Egypt’s longstanding emergency law, which provided a legal framework for the extension of police powers, including arbitrary arrests, surveillance, and restrictions on freedom of movement.

The research focuses on the critical role of checkpoints, a widespread form of physical control, and their effect on the Egyptian public’s daily lives. These checkpoints became symbols of state authority, heavily concentrated in Greater Cairo and other major cities, and served not only to regulate movement but also to segregate and control different populations. The presence of such checkpoints transformed urban spaces into sites of surveillance and control, enabling the state to classify and monitor citizens while reinforcing its power.

By examining the intersection of legal and coercive mechanisms, the paper highlights how the Egyptian state managed to sustain this exceptional political order over time, embedding itself in the everyday practices of governance. The paper also considers how these systems of control contributed to broader social divisions, exacerbating inequality and fostering an atmosphere of fear and subjugation.

The study contributes to a broader understanding of how states of exception function within authoritarian regimes, demonstrating that legal frameworks can support, rather than challenge, the construction of a police state. Through its focus on Egypt, the paper sheds light on the intricate processes through which political power, legal frameworks, and coercive force can combine to create a highly controlled and monitored society.