The Paradox of Transition to "Democracy" under Military Rule

If it will be agreed that there is a central problem or paradox with the ongoing Egyptian revolution that began in 2011, it would be that the Supreme Council of Armed Forces has been in charge during the transitional period, defined here as that between the ouster of Pres Hosni Mubarak and the emergence of a democratically elected civilian government. It is precisely this paradox that has led several scholars on Egypt and revolutions to suggest that there is something wrong in this case. This paper analyzes the period in Egypt from Jan 25, 2011, to Apr 10, 2012. The paper is based on ethnographic work conducted in Cairo from Feb 4, 2011, to Apr 15, 2011; 60 interviews with Egyptian activists, 50 of them randomly selected from different groups during the revolution, made in person, and 10 selected interviews with activists during the transitional period; and archival work. Adapted from the source document.