The relationship between the fellahin (peasantry) and the Egyptian Left has been a constant concern for the latter. This dialect, between the peasantry and the intellectuals, was key to the work of the Italian revolutionary militant and theorist Antonio Gramsci, and this talk links these reflections with reference to crucial historical junctures in Egypt.

Francesco de Lellis has recently completed his PhD in Middle East Politics at the University of Naples L'Orientale. His research focuses on the history of the Egyptian Left's intellectual production and political practice in relation to contemporary peasant struggles. His research interests in general relate to the history of the Egyptian Left, revolutions, social movements, rural and labour movements in the MENA region.

John Chalcraft is Professor of Middle East History and Politics in the Department of Government at the LSE and leads the Social Movements and Popular Mobilisation in the MENA Research Network.

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