China's Smart Authoritarianism
Foreign Affairs publishes an analysis of China's evolving authoritarian model, which the publication characterizes as 'smart authoritarianism.' The piece examines how the Chinese government has refined its approach to governance by integrating advanced surveillance technology, data-driven policy decisions, and selective economic liberalization to maintain tight political control while still delivering enough prosperity to sustain public acquiescence.
The article explores the implications of this model for the global order, arguing that China's ability to combine technological sophistication with authoritarian governance presents a distinctive challenge to democratic nations. It raises questions about whether this approach is sustainable long-term and how Western democracies should respond to a system that appears to defy the long-held assumption that economic development inevitably leads to political liberalization.
The analysis also considers the domestic and international dimensions of China's governance strategy, including its use of AI-driven social management tools, its approach to dissent, and its efforts to export elements of this model to other countries seeking alternatives to Western democratic frameworks.
The article explores the implications of this model for the global order, arguing that China's ability to combine technological sophistication with authoritarian governance presents a distinctive challenge to democratic nations. It raises questions about whether this approach is sustainable long-term and how Western democracies should respond to a system that appears to defy the long-held assumption that economic development inevitably leads to political liberalization.
The analysis also considers the domestic and international dimensions of China's governance strategy, including its use of AI-driven social management tools, its approach to dissent, and its efforts to export elements of this model to other countries seeking alternatives to Western democratic frameworks.