The power of Egypt's authoritarian state has been eroded by assertive associations demanding greater democracy, economic nationalism, and cultural diversity. Spotlighting the growing importance in Egypt of professional syndicates, labor unions, agricultural cooperatives, businessperson's associations, and religious groups, this study examines the increasing vitality of Egyptian civil society. Bianchi shows how Anwar Sadat's attempt to replace these associations with rigid corporatist controls contributed to his downfall just as similar policies undermined other authoritarian regimes in Iran, South Korea, and India.