This paper examines the relationship between democracy and active citizenship, an observed feature of states with a reasonably long established democracy. The question of how active citizenship takes hold in semi-tyrannical regimes with only a modicum of freedom of expression is also examined. The paper achieves these aims by asking survey respondents to answer a set of questions covering their involvement in the public sphere, including expressions of their own collective interests and rights. The results show that Arab public opinion is broadly supportive of democracy, which it prefers over other forms of government. Nonetheless, Arab support for democracy falls short when respondents are presented with specific questions related to practical steps, suggesting that a long standing lack of democratic experience has imprinted societal attitudes in the Arab world.