Egypt needs to promote civil literacy if it ever hopes to develop into a pluralistic, democratic society, Emad Gad writes in a piece for Al Masry Al Youm. Apart from the Al Wafd Party (which is so far past its heyday), political parties in Egypt have come and go over the last several decades but left no notable mark, Gad says. Even those formed after the 2011 uprising have lost their spark, he adds, arguing that a general lack of civil literacy is behind Egypt’s lackluster political performance. He says that a focused plan must be drafted to turn the situation around, beginning by improving living standards.

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