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Shoring Up Autocracy

Participatory Technologies and Regime Support in Putin’s Russia

Bibliographic Data

ID6246232
AuthorsHannah S Chapman (0000-0003-4238-1019, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume54
Issue8
Pages1459-1489
Publication date2021-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueComparative Political Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0010-4140 • E-ISSN: 1552-3829
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0010414021989759
OpenAlexW3129052126
LanguageEN
Citations received25
References cited62

How do autocrats build support? This study argues that autocrats create and maintain participatory technologies—elite-mass communication strategies that promote two-way interaction between citizens and leaders—to foster support. Participatory technologies provide citizens with the opportunity to have a limited voice in otherwise closed political systems. I test this theory through a series of two nationally-representative survey experiments in Russia. Results suggest that awareness of participatory technologies increases approval of President Putin and improves perceptions that there are opportunities for voice in politics. This finding departs from previous research that suggests public opinion is influenced primarily by participation. Furthermore, I demonstrate that these effects can be directly attributed to the communicative format of these strategies, not to issue resolution or leadership effects. Finally, I demonstrate that effects are dependent upon individuals’ political sophistication and political priors, contributing to political polarization and opening up the potential for backlash against the regime

Authoritarianism · Autocracy · Citizen journalism · Democracy · Economics · Elite · Polarization (electrochemistry · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · Sophistication · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Media Influence and Politics · Social Media and Politics

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Unique citing works25
Citations per year4,17
Citation span2020 - 2026 (7)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 23
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