Global Patterns of Digital Authoritarianism: Examining Key Determinants

• In Event: Authoritarian Power and Digital Media

Abstract

The existing academic literature on digital authoritarianism has often taken regime type as a given explanatory variable. Nevertheless, the theoretical underpinnings of this assumed relationship between regime type and digital authoritarianism remain largely unexamined. This study conducts an analysis of global digital authoritarianism patterns and contributes insights into the interplay of critical factors. Specifically, it investigates the nexus between regime type and digital repression while simultaneously exploring the intricate dynamics involving state capacity, state motivation, political opposition, and the phenomenon of digital authoritarianism. The analysis leverages cross-national, time-series data spanning the years 2000 to 2023, sourced from Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), the V-Dem Digital Society Project (DSP Data), and the V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index (EDI). In order to measure and operationalize digital authoritarianism, the paper utilizes V-dem data to develop a digital authoritarianism index. Additionally, latent constructs are employed to capture key dimensions, including the state's digital authoritarianism capacity, the state's digital authoritarianism motivation, and a latent construct representing political opposition. The paper also delves into individual components of digital authoritarianism, such as internet regulations and arrests for political content, information manipulation and social media monitoring, and internet shutdown.

Author

• Fahmida Zaman, University of Delaware