Utilizing data from the Arab Barometer surveys, this study distinguishes between social media and the internet’s general use and their usage for political purposes, examining whether political engagement—obtaining political information and expressing political opinions—on these platforms bolsters or undermines democracy in authoritarian contexts. Initially, political engagement on social media and the internet was positively linked with support for democracy. However, this has recently turned negative, probably reflecting the rise of digital authoritarianism (authoritarian regimes’ use of digital technology to surveil, repress, and manipulate both domestic and foreign populations). This paper argues that there are two potential mechanisms for this: self-censorship and social learning. Self-censorship suggests that individuals critical of the regime may refrain from expressing their political views on social media. Social learning involves acquiring information and forming beliefs through observation and interaction on these platforms. Both phenomena are influenced by digital authoritarianism in two primary ways: First, surveillance and repression by authoritarian regimes suppress political discussion, fostering conformity. Second, tactics like misinformation campaigns, use of chatbots, and artificial intelligence allow authoritarians to flood social media with propaganda, facilitating social learning of authoritarian values. This dynamic is particularly pronounced among those who already trust and support their government.
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