| Abstrakt: |
In this article, I developed the theoretical concept of cyber state capacity (CSC). Advancing Gobel's (2013) theoretical model of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and authoritarian consolidation, I introduced the theoretical propositions of CSC, which help explain how governments use information and communication technological systems to maintain stability, development, and stay in power. Well established, durable regimes have implemented ICT infrastructures that rival advanced democracies, yet the wave of liberalization that was expected to occur has not. After lying out the theoretical concepts, I conducted a qualitative case illustration to analyze the state enhancing or weakening ICT environments in Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the years leading up to, and at the time of, the Arab Spring. Developed ICT systems can bolster government power through sophisticated surveillance and propaganda operations, as well as providing economic and entertainment benefits that may contribute to placating individuals' motivations for increased political concessions. • Develops cyber state capacity (CSC) as a theoretical model for analyzing ICTs role in government power. • Builds on models of authoritarian consolidation of power and state capacity. • Discusses political uses and consequences of using ICTs, including bots and propaganda programs. • A case-study of Egypt and Saudi Arabia leading up to Arab Spring using the CSC model. • ICT systems can bolster government power, as well as provide economic and entertainment benefits that may pacify grievances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
Full Text from ScienceDirect