ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at what the aftermath of the 2011 revolution in Egypt meant for civil society there. It follows how the authoritarian state closed the window of opportunity that opened for civil society after the revolution, resetting the clock back to times of oppression and strong control. The chapter illustrates the role played by the ruling military junta that ruled Egypt right after the revolution as the role of the Muslim Brotherhood’s unfortunate bid for power in accumulating negative attitudes of the public towards civil society. The chapter argues that the strong tradition of dependence on the state as well as the complete failure of the Islamists to convert their democratic election into a cradle for the establishment of a transparent and inclusive political environment when they were in power have worked together to strip civil society of much needed legitimacy leaving it vulnerable to the return of authoritarianism.
