Mobile Technology's Role in Mitigating State Repression against Ethnic Groups

• In Event: Minority Politics in the Comparative Context

Abstract

Scholarly literature contains diverse viewpoints on the relationship between technology usage and state repression of ethnic groups. Optimists argue that new technologies ameliorate state repression when utilized by ethnopolitical organizations to counter oppressive government policies. Conversely, pessimists underscore the risk associated with states employing technology for surveillance and oppression of these organizations. We empirically test these two perspectives by examining the relationship between mobile phone usage by ethnopolitical organizations and state repression. Based on our analysis of 118 organizations and their mobile phone access in the Middle East and North Africa, we find that mobile phone usage mitigates state repression. Our findings provides significant insights into the literature on repression, resistance, and technology.

Authors

• Reyhan Topal, State University of New York at Albany

• Ilyssa Yahmi, Temple University

• Victor Asal, University at Albany, SUNY