Delta Democracy

Pathways to Incremental Civic Revolution in Egypt and Beyond

Catherine E. Herrold

Bridging the Gap

Presents original ethnographic research in Egypt that spans seven years around the Arab Spring uprisings
Includes in-depth interviews with Egyptian civil society leaders and direct observations of civil society organizations' activities
Reveals Egyptians' understandings of democracy and how local organizations worked to promote democracy
Offers new theoretical insights into how civil society organizations promote democracy under autocracy
Provides concrete policy recommendations for the reform of U.S. democracy aid

Delta Democracy

Pathways to Incremental Civic Revolution in Egypt and Beyond

Catherine E. Herrold

Description

The 2011 Arab Spring protests seemed to mark a turning point in Middle East politics, away from authoritarianism and toward democracy. Within a few years, however, most observers saw the protests as a failure given the outbreak of civil wars and re-emergence of authoritarian strongmen in countries like Egypt. But in Delta Democracy, Catherine E. Herrold argues that we should not overlook the ongoing mobilization taking place in grassroots civil society. Drawing upon ethnographic research on Egypt's nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the wake of the uprisings, Herrold uncovers the strategies that local NGOs used to build a more democratic and just society. Departing from US-based democracy advocates' attempts to reform national political institutions, local Egyptian organizations worked with communities to build a culture of democracy through public discussion, debate, and collective action. At present, these forms of participatory democracy are more attainable than establishing fair elections or parliaments, and they are helping Egyptians regain a sense of freedom that they have been denied as the long-time subjects of a dictator. Delta Democracy advances our understanding of how civil society organizations maneuver under state repression in order to combat authoritarianism. It also offers a concrete set of recommendations on how US policymakers can restructure foreign aid to better help local community organizations fighting to expand democracy.

Delta Democracy

Pathways to Incremental Civic Revolution in Egypt and Beyond

Catherine E. Herrold

Bridging the Gap

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Co-Optation of Egypt's NGO Sector
Chapter 2: The Widening and Narrowing of Egypt's Civic Space
Chapter 3: The West's Democracy Promotion Playbook
Chapter 4: All You Need Is Tea: An Alternative Democracy Promotion Playbook
Chapter 5: Promoting Democracy in the Face of Autocracy
Conclusion
Bibliography

Delta Democracy

Pathways to Incremental Civic Revolution in Egypt and Beyond

Catherine E. Herrold

Bridging the Gap

Author Information

Catherine E. Herrold is an Assistant Professor at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a Faculty Affiliate of the Indiana University Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Delta Democracy

Pathways to Incremental Civic Revolution in Egypt and Beyond

Catherine E. Herrold

Bridging the Gap

Reviews and Awards

"[EL] An outstanding book and highly recommended for anyone interested in local NGOs, in how democracy advances incrementally, and in the ways in which U.S. foreign policy can be adjusted to be more effective." -- James Ketterer, American University in Cairo, Ethics and International Affairs

"This is an outstanding book and highly recommended for anyone interested in local NGOs, in how democracy advances incrementally, and in the ways in which U.S. foreign policy can be adjusted to be more effective." -- James Ketterer, Ethics & International Affairs

"Herrold's book is a significant contribution to our understanding of how nonprofit and foundation sectors that focus on economic and social development can cultivate democratic norms and practices." -- Steven Hedemann, Nonprofit Policy Forum

"Recommended." -- M.L. Russell, East Carolina University, CHOICE

"This beautifully written and well-organized study is the book President Biden's team should consider if they seek to strengthen democratic principles through democratic practice." -- Susan Liebell, New Books Network

"Everyone interested in Egypt and Egyptian politics must read Herrold's illuminating new book, Delta Democracy. In this well-written, deeply researched volume, Herrold argues convincingly that 'democracy brokers' in the West and international non-governmental organizations have been manifestly ineffective in advancing democratic change because they fail to understand the political, historical, and social contexts in which they operate. Herrold demonstrates that Egyptian non-governmental organizations and foundations are better positioned for success. Delta Democracy is an invaluable addition to the literature from which academics, policymakers, practitioners, and foundation program officers will benefit." -- Steven A. Cook, Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

"Delta Democracy tells the story of Egypt's political trajectory over the past decade-seemingly a familiar one told by headlines about uprisings, elections, coups, and authoritarian rulers-in a fresh and unfamiliar way. Herrold uses a host of small-scale Egyptian organizations, some operating seemingly far from the political field, as a prism to help us understand what democracy means-and does not mean-in a local context." -- Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University