“As battles continue on the streets of Egypt, many Egyptians have argued that their country’s predicament is unique. With its long history of military rule, a vibrant Islamist movement, and a leadership role in the Arab world, Egypt, they contend, stands alone in its political transition – and must get that transition right for the Arab Spring to truly exact change in the region.

While it is true that Egypt has long been the bellwether of the Middle East, the dilemma it now faces – initial democratic elections that bring to power an elected autocrat, who ignores constitutional liberties – is quite common.

As I detail in my book Democracy in Retreat, many first generation elected leaders in new democracies around the world have gone on to govern as quasi-dictators, which, in turn, has only served to fuel rage of the kind that has recently been seen in Cairo.

Once they take office, these opposition activists turned elected leaders have too often morphed into autocrats, overpowering young democracies, whose institutions are not yet strong enough to restrain powerful officials uninterested in compromise, negotiation and opposition.

It is not hard to see why this first generation of elected leaders has so often regressed.”

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