---
title: "Egyptian Views of Democracy"
description: "By a 22-point margin, Egyptians choose democracy over stability."
date: "2011-05-18"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2011/05/18/egyptian-views-of-democracy/"
categories:
  - "International Political Values"
---

# Egyptian Views of Democracy

A 54%-majority of Egyptians say it is more important for their country to have a democratic government, even if there is some risk of political instability. Nearly a third (32%) say it is more important for their country to have a stable government, even if there is some risk it will not be fully democratic. Also, fully 71% of Egyptians now say democracy is preferable to any other kind of government, up from 60% in 2010. Democracy is also prioritized over a strong leader by a 64%-to-34% margin. But when a good democracy is tested against a strong economy, the result is a 47%-to-49% draw. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1971/egypt-poll-democracy-elections-islam-military-muslim-brotherhood-april-6-movement-israel-obama)