The rise of digital authoritarianism: is the internet to be blamed?
The rise of digital authoritarianism: is the internet to be blamed?
Date
2019
Authors
Azelmat, Marwa
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Abstract
The last decade has been battered by growing concerns about the rise of digital
authoritarianism. The ever-increasing number of human rights breaches and the global
decline in democracy is alarming. The rationale behind this study is to find out who is to
be deemed liable. While a legal framework that accommodate the digital infrastructure is
yet to be established, this research looks at the shifts in structure, practices and behavior
between the internet and authoritarianism through data analysis, comparative-based and
theory-based approaches. The findings suggest that as long as there is concentration of all
powers by the state, it is unlikely that the internet would aid democratic consolidation,
unless there is a strong resistance to shake the public institutions, nurture individual
agency and call for collective collaboration. To achieve such a level of resilience, the
research recommends to lift the lid on the shifts between technology and policy in order
to grasp the reality of digital authoritarianism.
Description
Second semester University: Queen's University, Belfast
Keywords
internet,
authoritarianism,
democracy,
policy,
technology