Internet Technology and Political Protest

Abstract

The chapter proposes a refined theoretical approach to distinguish the conditions under which digital technology fosters the emergence of protest, and under which it suppresses it. At the core of this theory is the observation that control of the Internet is asymmetrical, where governments decide when and where to introduce and expand this technology in their countries. Facing economic pressure to innovate, governments will try to minimize political risks using the Internet to improve governance, but also to censor content and improve surveillance. Hence, increasing Internet penetration should be related to reduced protest occurrence in the long run. Once protest has broken out, however, it is difficult to quickly contain the spread of ongoing dissent through online channels, which is why the Internet may foster the persistence and diffusion of protest. The chapter also highlights that the effect of digital communication on protest has to be considered in conjunction with traditional means of repression that continue to be available to autocratic governments.