ABSTRACT
With an emphasis on Egypt, this chapter solves the puzzle of youth exclusion and dealing with their frustration. It articulates how to reform the chronic exclusion of youth within the Egyptian general political context through analyzing the phenomenon of informal politics, complexity of regulatory frameworks, absence of economic inclusion and innovation, and dilemma of organization. The chapter focuses on practical examples of youth initiatives, experiences in political party participation, and relationships with state institutions. Egypt continues to face many challenges related to a turbulent and muddled transition, seemingly focused on electoral democracy. The political context entitles two regressive key players who were in the lead of the transitional period in Egypt – the Supreme Council for Army Forces (SCAF) and the Muslim Brotherhood. In comparison to initiatives carried out by youth in formal or traditional institutions such as civil society organizations, informal initiatives and movements led by democratic youth tend to be more bold and politicized.
