ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights that continuing the previous practices of attempting to stifle civil society will not prevent organic emergences of civic engagement throughout society, particularly in light of the events of 2011. Civil society was the driving force behind shifting online ideas to offline action. The chapter examines the legal and political environment that made online communication so appealing for activists, the context of activity – both online and offline – that allowed for movements to go viral, and the real-life implications for current government policy in Egypt. Like the April 6 movement there are numerous examples of civil society's resilience under extreme conditions. The April 6 movement started with a Facebook group of 300 people, which quickly grew to 3,000 members. New groups were forming quickly and breaking free from established civil society actors. A civil society that can affect the rules and laws that govern them will no longer need to revolt.
