Co-sponsored by Division 40: Information Technology, & Politics
Full Paper Panel with Virtual Participation
Participants:
- (Chair) Lynette H. Ong, University of Toronto
- (Discussant) Lizhi Liu, Georgetown University
- (Discussant) Eddie Yang, University of California, San Diego
Session Description:
Information and communication technology was once believed to be a liberating force that could promote freedom in authoritarian regimes. However, it has also been harnessed as a powerful tool for authoritarian control, enabling new forms of propaganda, censorship, and state surveillance in the digital era and contributing to a resurgence of nativism and authoritarianism. How have authoritarian governments managed to overcome the liberating potential of digital technology and social media, turning these platforms into instruments of control? What are the social consequences of digital authoritarianism? This panel seeks to address these questions by focusing on China, one of the most advanced authoritarian states with immense digital capabilities.
The first two papers/book chapters address the overarching strategies used by authoritarian regimes to harness digital platforms, algorithms, and corporate partnerships for maintaining power while managing societal perceptions. Yingdan Lu, Xinyi Liu, and Carl Zhou investigate how entertainment platforms in China amplify state propaganda. Analyzing data from Bilibili, they demonstrate how algorithms and content strategies significantly enhance the reach of state-sponsored videos. Their findings reveal an algorithmic pathway that authoritarian regimes exploit to bolster their online visibility and influence. Lynette Ong and Jesslene Lee explore how the Chinese state collaborates with private and state-owned corporations to manage public opinion online. By outsourcing technical expertise, the regime calibrates digital repression, using big data to suppress dissent while monitoring public sentiment. Their research underscores the strategic partnership between the state and corporations in digital authoritarianism.
The other two papers/book chapters focus on the broader societal effects, including shifts in public opinion, trust in institutions, and political behavior resulting from digital authoritarianism. Tony Zirui Yang analyzes censorship patterns in China, showing that discussions about democracy are frequently suppressed unless they include conspiratorial content. This censorship fosters conspiratorial thinking, which diminishes trust in foreign democracies while reinforcing trust in domestic institutions. These insights highlight the broader societal and ideological consequences of censorship. Xu Xu examines the societal effects of digital surveillance in authoritarian regimes. Comparing digital and in-person surveillance, Xu finds that the former is less intrusive, making it more palatable to citizens. Digital surveillance discourages political participation while preserving interpersonal trust and regime legitimacy, enabling its rapid expansion without significant public resistance.
Taken together, these papers engage in a dialogue about how authoritarian governments leverage advanced digital technologies to shape public opinion and maintain regime stability. They contribute to the theme of APSA 2024, Reimagining Politics, Power, and Peoplehood in Crisis Times, by offering insights into how technological shifts are reshaping authoritarian politics globally. In addition, they enhance our understanding of how digital technology deepens the divide between democracy and dictatorship by influencing public opinion, political behavior, and governing institutions worldwide. This panel not only enriches academic discourse but also offers valuable insights for policymakers and activists concerned with human rights, digital repression, misinformation, and the role of digital technology in authoritarian regimes.
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