Does Information Technology Benefit Autocrats?: Evidence from 5G in China

• In Event: Power, Information and Disinformation

Abstract

This paper examines the multifaceted implications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the dynamics of "smart authoritarianism" and economic development by exploring the expansion of 5G in China. Employing a geographic difference-in-differences design using geocoded datasets of 5G towers, administrative penalty records, and firms, the study investigates the effects of ICT on autocratic control and economic development. Results suggest that 5G expansion strengthens government enforcement capabilities, as well as increases firm entry. This study contributes to the understanding of ICT in autocracies, offering insights into its complex influence on authoritarian control and its effect on economic development.

Authors

• Ziwen Zu, University of California, San Diego

• Yunchen Zhu, The University of Hong Kong