The state of civic space, the freedom to establish civil society organizations (CSOs), and the margin of liberty of these CSOs and all civil actors are some of the most important indicators of democracy in Arab countries. This particular importance derives from the fact that the Arab regimes, although they differ in form, institutions, and work mechanisms, are all neo-patrimonial in nature and only allow a limited margin for democracy and freedoms. While some regimes acknowledge the existence of a civil society that is relatively (but tangibly) independent from the realm of politics and from the market and its rules to a minimal extent, others deny people’s right to form an independent civic space. Moreover, the neo-patrimonial nature is not limited to the regime and its institutions, but rather extends to societal structures and the predominant culture. The ideologies of the regime and the different political movements converge to restrict the freedom of expression, religion, and assembly and to refute the modern idea of civic citizenship.