Type of Resource:
Journal

Year of Publication:
2015

Indicators:
- Enablers
- Challenges
- Outcomes and Impacts


Themes:
- Internet for Democracy
- Internet Or Digital Rights and Freedoms
- Internet Safety

Author(s): Espen Geelmuyden Rod, Nils B Weidmann

We investigate whether the liberation- or the repression-technology perspective can better explain empirically observed patterns. To this end, we analyze two outcomes. First, we look at which autocracies are more likely to adopt and expand the Internet. In line with the repression technology expectation, we find that regimes aiming to prevent any independent public sphere are more likely to introduce the Internet. Second, we study the effects of the Internet on changes towards democracy. This analysis reveals no effect of the Internet on political institutions.

URL
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0022343314555782

Region of Study:
Africa,

Country of Study:
Africa,

Study Quality
High