An Inclusion demoderation hypothesis: the revolutionary socialists in a democratic transition

Abstract

ABSTRACT Revolutionary Socialists appeared in the mid-1990s as young secular Egyptians who distanced themselves from traditional co-opted parties. Disillusioned with formal politics, these ‘Revsoc’ emerged as anti-institutional opponents to the ruling elites and the structure of liberal democracy. The Trotskyist organization rejected elected bodies, seeking a Soviet-style democracy. However, the Revsoc in the 2000s opted to exploit the margin and participate in parliamentary and syndicalist elections, cooperating with reformist liberals and Islamists and reconciling with representative democracy under Mubarak. Throughout the transitional period following the January revolution, as formal politics had become more inclusive, the Revsoc held shifted to anti-institutional positions. By boycotting the elections and referendums and distancing themselves from parties that legitimized the transitional process, the Revsoc radicalized during the most ambitious democratic opening in Egypt’s modern history, in contrast to the conventional inclusion—moderation argument. However, they surprisingly started endorsing elections and supporting reforms again after the military coup.