Why Egypt is a case study for the West in how not to safeguard democracy

The recent tragedy in which 224 passengers and crew died in the skies over Sinai points to the contradiction in so many Western governments’ policies towards the Middle East. Their rhetoric trumpeting democracy and human rights is at odds with their de facto support for dictatorships and economic policies that benefit the few, not the many. This contradiction is dangerous because – far from promoting democracy and peace – it facilitates economic inequality, political polarisation, even violence.