Varieties of Digital Authoritarianism

Howells, Laura; Henry, Laura A.

doi:10.1525/j.postcomstud.2021.54.4.1

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Authoritarian regimes often have hegemony over the network infrastructure for controlling the flow of information (Howells and Henry 2021; Vendil Pallin 2017), although virtual private networks (VPN), Tor browser, and other tools are often used to circumvent censorship (Hobbs and Roberts 2018). While digital media can serve as an alternative, uncensored source of information for opposition movements, research shows that most authoritarian regimes have adapted.…”

Section: Social Media Use and Political Regime Typesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Globalizing information networks, social media, and participation

Kuznetsova

Tolbert

2023

Social Science Quarterly

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Objectives This study is one of the first to systematically evaluate the relationship between the Internet and social media use and participation in politics cross‐nationally, in democracies and non‐democracies. Most existing research on this topic analyzes one country or region. We contend that access to globalizing information networks—which exist within digital media space and where discussions of political norms and values are frequent—promotes higher rates of political participation. Methods Using multivariate analysis and individual‐level data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey with representative samples from 45 countries, we employ jackknifed samples to investigate the association between self‐reported frequent Internet and social media use, our proxy for the exposure to globalizing information networks, and political participation. Results Results show that more frequent social media use is associated with higher political participation, all else equal. This relationship is significant in democracies and non‐democracies, suggesting that information networks increase political participation even in countries with Internet shutdowns, censorship, and limited rights and freedoms. Conclusions Despite censorship, propaganda, and misinformation, the Internet and social media may help foster political participation across international borders.

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Section: Social Media Use and Political Regime Typesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Globalizing information networks, social media, and participation

Kuznetsova

Tolbert

2023

Social Science Quarterly

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“…While internet governance includes the policies, rules, and practices that an authoritarian regime employs, which shape the public's online experiences and behaviour, digital authoritarianism encompasses a wide range of control measures (Howells and Henry 2021).…”

Section: Internet Governance and Digital Authoritarianismmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism

Yilmaz

2023

Religions

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This paper delves into the intricate relationship between religious populism and the legitimization of digital authoritarianism in Turkey. Specifically, it investigates how the ruling party, AKP, has strategically linked Islamist values to state policies as a means of justifying its repressive control over digital technology. Through an examination of internet governance at multiple levels—full network-level governance, sub-network or website-level governance, proxy or corporation-level governance, and network–node or individual-level governance—the study reveals the instrumentalization of religious populism to consolidate support and validate the government’s autocratic agenda. Furthermore, it sheds light on the role of state-controlled religious institutions, traditional media, social media outlets, as well as religious leaders and organizations in shaping public opinion, enabling the government to exert greater control over the dissemination of information. By dissecting the religious populist justification of digital authoritarianism in Turkey, this research provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics at play in the realm of online governance.

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Contestations of Internet Governance and Digital Authoritarianism in Pakistan

Ahmed,

Yilmaz,

Akbarzadeh

et al. 2024

Int J Polit Cult Soc

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The existing literature on Internet governance offers important insights on the relationship between state and society in China and the West. It is important to explore this relationship in the developing world. This study focuses on Pakistan, exploring the role of relevant legal frameworks, political authorities, and institutional structures in relation to monitoring and regulating telephone traffic, legal compliance, and consumer interests. By focusing on the interplay between political dynamics, international partnerships, and evolving digital landscapes, this study examines the evolution of Internet governance model in Pakistan. While Pakistan appears on a trajectory to digital authoritarianism, its journey is hampered by structural limitations, resistance from democratic forces, concerns about data protection and privacy, pushback from the judiciary, and the emergence of a vigilant civil society. Challenges in establishing a coherent authoritarian model of Internet governance have resulted in an ad hoc approach. This study offers a nuanced understanding of multifaceted factors influencing Internet governance in a developing country.

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Varieties of Digital Authoritarianism

Cited by 8 publications

References 34 publications

Globalizing information networks, social media, and participation

Globalizing information networks, social media, and participation

The Nexus of Digital Authoritarianism and Religious Populism

Contestations of Internet Governance and Digital Authoritarianism in Pakistan

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