Reinforcement or Substitution? Internet and Protest across Different Autocracies

Abstract

Autocratic regimes differ in the extent of individual freedoms they grant their citizens. In particular, in some autocracies, citizens are allowed to form organizations, while in others, freedom of association is severely restricted. Does digital communication serve as an alternative means to mobilize, thereby bypassing traditional restrictions in autocracies? The book analyzes the effect of Internet penetration on protest across different national environments, to test if the effect varies across depending on existing strategies of autocratic rule. In particular, it distinguishes between two scenarios: reinforcement of traditional forms of authoritarian control, where the Internet is used to strengthen traditional repression, and substitution, where the Internet helps autocratic governments regain control they have given up by partly liberalizing the political arena. The chapter presents empirical evidence in support of the latter scenario, which suggests that the Internet helps autocrats maintain political control that they no longer have through institutional channels.