Nasser kept his opponents silent through a preemptive strategy of combining repression, redistribution, and resocialization in as subtle a way as possible. By having complete state control over every form of media, organization, and institution Nasser was about to monitor and put the lid on any sort of opposition that appeared during his time as leader. Not only that, but he was able to get different sectors of society to support him by giving them incentives for joining his regime.
Now in response to the 'post- Arab Revolts', the Islamists have been doing very well in the ballots, and a possible reason for that is opposition. For groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, that have so long been considered almost a terrorist group, they have been speaking the words that people of the opposition groups have been waiting for. Many people haven't been happy with their governments, and this 'opposition' group is giving people the chance for something new, something that opposes the current, not popular government.
I agree with your reasoning about Islamist success. Shortly after the elections in Egypt, I talked to a native Egyptian about what he thought about Morsi winning. To my surprise, he told me Morsi won because Ahmed Shafik, the other main presidential candidate, was a leader under the Mubarak regime. In his opinion, the Egyptian people wanted everything to do with Mubarak out of power, regardless of either candidates' qualifications.
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