Egypt- Not So Bad by Historical Standards

What surprises me most about Egypt is how peaceful the transition has been. Let's consider the background, for roughly 60 years the powers that controlled Egypt kept a tight grip on the country. Public goods like education, infrastructure, even proper building codes were not shared or enforced; and in the last three years we have seen sudden change. The only political party that existed before the revolution handily won the Presidency, and has since been reigned in by the military. Compared to the US Wars of Independence in 1776 and 1812, and the Civil War, where 750,000 Americans died; what is happening in Egypt is infinitely less violent. Contrast democratization in Eqypt to that of France, where the Revolution caused the slaughter of millions and what is happening is not so tragic, but a model for transitioning from authoritarian rule to democracy. This is not to discount the problems there, only to frame it in the proper context of national struggles for democracy. I hope they find their way, and get along with their neighbors.