Edward Elgar Publishing EU, Egypt and Democracy Promotion: The Civil Society Facility in Egypt

This highly topical book investigates the EU’s role in promoting democracy and human rights in post-Mubarak Egypt, with a focus on the EU funded Civil Society Facility (CSF) instrument. Bassant Hassib and Christian Kaunert assess projects under the 2011-13 CSF in terms of their structure, funding, complementarity, focus areas and implementation. Hassib and Kaunert argue that challenges within both EU and Egyptian frameworks have reinforced a gap between the CSF’s objectives and its implementation in Egypt. They examine the ways in which the effectiveness of CSF projects are impacted by the complex interplay between the EU and Egypt’s institutional dynamics, as well as the Egyptian socio-political environment. Providing a comprehensive overview of EU democracy advocacy in a critical geographical area, the book ultimately emphasises the need for favourable conditions to ensure the success of democratization efforts supported by external actors. Scholars and students of European politics and policy, international relations, Middle Eastern politics and political Islam will greatly benefit from this compelling book. Timely and engaging, it is also an essential resource for policymakers, practitioners and civil society organisations working in human rights and regulation, governance and security.