Overview

This volume examines the complex and often paradoxical relationship between technologies and activism in authoritarian contexts. While technologies offer activists new tools for empowerment, networking and self-representation, they are equally susceptible to co-optation by political and corporate interests, resulting in heightened surveillance, censorship and threats to democratic processes. Moving beyond a narrow focus on digital tools, the book adopts a broad and inclusive definition of technologies to explore their diverse roles in shaping activism. Contributors investigate both the empowering and constraining effects of technologies across a range of authoritarian regimes, providing in-depth insights into the ways activists navigate and contest restrictive environments in authoritarian contexts and beyond. By bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives, the volume offers a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing activism today, enriching our understanding of the evolving interplay between technology, power and democratic aspirations in different contexts.

Full Product Details

Author:   Zahid Shahab Ahmed (Associate Professor in Security and Strategic Studies, National Defence College of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi) ,  Shahram Akbarzadeh (Deakin University. Australia) ,  Ihsan Yilmaz (Deakin University, Australia)
Publisher:   Edinburgh University Press
Imprint:   Edinburgh University Press
ISBN:  

9781399550383

ISBN 10:   1399550381
Pages:   384
Publication Date:   31 January 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Introduction: The Intersection of Digital Technologies, Authoritarianism, and Online Dissent Zahid Shahab Ahmed, Shahram Akbarzadeh and Ihsan Yilmaz 1. Technological Advancement and Power: The Middle East in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Govand Khalid Azeez 2. Internet in Iran: Battlefront of Ideas Amin Naeni and Shahram Akbarzadeh 3. The Impact of China’s Smart Digital Technologies on Uyghur Muslims Mettursun Beydulla 4. The Methods and Instruments of Digital Authoritarianism in Turkey and the Role of AKtrolls in Online/Offline Intimidation Bulent Kenes and Ihsan Yilmaz 5. Authoritarian Approaches to Internet Governance and its Incidence on Transnational Human Rights Advocacy Networks: Myanmar’s Post-coup Reality Julia Ryng and Guillemette Guicherd 6. The Rising Digital Authoritarianism in Pakistan Saeed Ahmed Rid and Zahid Shahab Ahmed 7. Vocalised Resistance to Authoritarianism in Egypt: A Study of Podcasts Ihsan Yilmaz and Nadeen Madkour 8. Blockchain Technology in MENA: Impacts on Authoritarianism and Civil Activism Anas Iqtait 9. Digital Platforms, Youth Activism, and Illiberal and Authoritarian Governance: The Case of Nigerian EndSARS Movement Najimdeen Bakare 10. Political Activism 2.0: How are Bangladeshi exiled activists working against authoritarianism? Saimum Parvez 11. Epistemic Contestations and Use/Misuse of OSINT in India Feeza Vasudeva-Barkdull 12. Hacker Activism in Indonesia’s Contemporary Democracy Abdullah Faqih and Fahmi Rizki Fahroji Conclusion: Navigating Digital Authoritarianism, Resistance, and Uncertainties Ihsan Yilmaz, Shahram Akbarzadeh and Zahid Shahab Ahmed

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Author Information

Zahid Shahab Ahmed is Associate Professor at National Defence College of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Shahram Akbarzadeh, PhD, is Director of Middle East Studies Forum and Professor and Deputy Director (International) of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, Australia. Ihsan Yilmaz is Research Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Deakin University. Australia.

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