In his latest exploration of the Egyptian malaise, Galal Amin first looks at the events of the months preceding the Revolution of 25 January 2011, pointing out the most important factors behind popular discontent. He then follows the ups and downs (mainly the downs) of the Revolution: the causes of rising hopes and expectations, mingled with successive disappointments, sometimes verging on despair, not least in the case of the presidential elections, when the Egyptian people were invited to choose between a rock and a hard place. This is followed by an outline of a possible brighter future for Egypt, based on a more balanced and faster growing economy, and a more democratic and equitable society, within a truly independent, modern, and secular state.The story of what happened to the 2011 Revolution may be a sad one, but if viewed within the larger context of Egypt's economic and social developments of the last century, on which the author's previous books threw very useful light, it can be regarded as one important step forward toward a much better future.

IntroductionPart One: Causes of the Revolution1 Worse than Unemployment2 Appropriating Public Property3 Bequeathing What One Does Not Own4 Selling What Cannot Be Sold5 False Patriotism6 A Police StatePart Two: Causes for Optimism7 Promises of the Revolution8 25 JanuaryPart Three: Causes for Concern9 A Revolution or a Coup d'Etat?10 The Paradoxes of the Revolution11 Muslims and CoptsPart Four: New Horizons12 The Economy13 Democracy14 Social Justice15 Dependence16 A Secular State17 A Modern StateConclusion: An Abortive Revolution?