Return of Tyranny

Why do some revolutions fail and succumb to counterrevolutions, whereas others go on to establish durable rule? Marshalling original data on counterrevolutions worldwide since 1900 and new evidence from the reversal of Egypt's 2011 revolution, Killian Clarke explains both why counterrevolutions emerge and when they are likely to succeed. He forwards a movement-centric argument that emphasizes the strategies revolutionary leaders embrace both during their opposition campaigns and after they seize power. Movements that wage violent resistance and espouse radical ideologies establish regimes that are very difficult to overthrow. By contrast, democratic revolutions like Egypt's are more vulnerable, though Clarke also identifies a path by which they too can avoid counterrevolution. By preserving their elite coalitions and broad popular support, these movements can return to mass mobilization to thwart counterrevolutionary threats. In an era of resurgent authoritarianism worldwide, Return of Tyranny sheds light on one particularly violent form of reactionary politics.

• Reveals patterns and trends in global counterrevolution since 1900 including which regions, eras, and types of revolutions have witnessed the most counterrevolutions
• Features original interview and protest data on Egypt's 2013 counterrevolution, providing a fresh perspective on how it occurred and how it might have been avoided
• Offers recommendations for future revolution leaders and policymakers on how to prevent counterrevolutions and reinforce nascent revolutionary governments