Das Innovationsdilemma und die Konsolidierung autokratischer Regime

The Innovation Dilemma and the Consolidation of Autocracy

Författare

Christian Göbel

Summary, in English

Despite the obvious (though as of yet unclear) relationship between economic growth and the persistence of autocratic regimes, there are only few studies that examine how innovation processes affect autocracies - and vice versa. Linking the scholarship on authoritarian consolidation with insights from the National Innovation Systems- and Science and Technology Studies literature, this article argues that processes of innovation in autocracies initiate social, economic and political processes that force a regime to constantly improve its institutional structures and enhance its channels into society. This consolidation of authoritarian rule in turn benefits further innovation. As a comparison of China and Myanmar will illustrate, this strategy can enhance a regime's legitimacy, but is a difficult and risky process. As a result, many regimes instead choose to uphold their rule by relying on repression.

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