Open Networks, Closed Regimes: The Impact of the Internet on Authoritarian Rule

by Shanthi Kalathil

As the Internet diffuses across the globe, many have come to believe that the technology poses an insurmountable threat to authoritarian rule. Grounded in the Internet's early libertarian culture and predicated on anecdotes pulled from diverse political climates, this conventional wisdom has informed the views of policymakers, business leaders, and media pundits alike. Yet few studies have sought to systematically analyze the exact ways in which Internet use may lay the basis for political change. In O pen Networks, Closed Regimes, the authors take a comprehensive look at how a broad range of societal and political actors in eight authoritarian and semi-authoritarian countries employ the Internet. Based on methodical assessment of evidence from these cases—China, Cuba, Singapore, Vietnam, Burma, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—the study contends that the Internet is not necessarily a threat to authoritarian regimes.

Genres: Sociology

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2002

Reviews

[Dirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after Morozov 'Net Delusion'. The argument is related to Morozov's point about 'cyberutopians'''s believe that the Internet alone will liberalise people suppressed by authoritarian regimes. As Morozov's Kalathil and colleagues warn against such simplistic thinking. They study the diffusion of the Internet in a range of authoritarian countries, including China, Vietnam, Burma, Cuba and Singapore and show the diversity in which Internet technologies are being used in these countries and by their governments.

The book may seem outdated to some considering recent events in North Africa. Yet, an analysis of the events in 2011 and what role technology has played in them has not yet conducted. Kalathil's analysis is well founded and I would strongly recommend the book to those interested in theses ages about the internet and politics.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does a great job explaining why the Internet wont change societies. In fact, the book outline ways in which the context of use has to be such that change can occur. Without a concomitant set of freedoms, Internet use won't do anything to speed up liberalization or democratic reform.

I particularly liked the analysis of China. The book did a good job avoiding some of the common pitfalls of Internet scholarship.