Overview

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.

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9780190093235

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Reviews

Delta Democracy tells the story of Egypts political trajectory over the past decadeseemingly a familiar one told by headlines about uprisings, elections, coups, and authoritarian rulersin 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 meansand does not meanin a local context * Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University * Everyone interested in Egypt and Egyptian politics must read Herrolds 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 *

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

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.

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