Reports

Discussion Papers

No.891 The Double-edged Sword of Digital Governance in China: Can digital governance enhance the legitimacy of authoritarian regimes?

by Zhe REN

March 2023

ABSTRACT

China has actively adopted digital technology and launched administrative service centers to improve the government's administrative efficiency and provide corresponding social services. With the nationwide coverage of administrative service centers, the public's satisfaction with the government has also increased. However, in the process of the active adoption of digital technology, the digital economy has become the protagonist, and governing society through digital means has become a technical activity. Overemphasizing the efficiency of digital governance has instead made the government overlook the meaningful interaction between the state and the people, though that may be less efficient.

Keywords: Digital Technology, Authoritarian Regime, Legitimacy, E-governance

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