""Watermelon Democracy" works from the premise that the 2011 uprising in Egypt and subsequent violent repression emerged from deep patterns in that country's modern history. By examining four aspects of the uprising, and juxtaposing actual events with findings in the literature, Stacher aims to explain aspects of the Egyptian case that the theoretical literature cannot"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduction : What if ... -- Retiring Mubarak : protests, opposition relations, and incumbent ejection -- Electoral recalibration? Transitional elections and disempowerment -- State violence as life : regime-making and counterrevolution -- An uprising against neoliberalism? The state, Military Inc., and the political economy of Egypt -- Conclusion: No going back.