Abstract
The Internet, Social Media, and a Changing China, edited by Jacques deLisle, Avery Goldstein, and Guobin Yang, gives an in-depth introduction to the multifaceted and dynamic effects of the internet and social media in contemporary China. In contrast with traditional media in authoritarian China, which are the mouthpiece of the government andwhose content strictly represents the values and interests of the state, the recent development of the internet and new/social media—such as online discussion platforms, microblogging websites, and mobile text and voice messaging services—decentralizes the authority of the regime and liberalizes and empowers individuals’ voices. This book argues that the effect of the latter should not be interpreted in a dichotomous manner, such as “‘freedom versus control’ or ‘promoting democracy versus strengthening authoritarianism’” (p. 3), as the impact of the development of the internet and social media on the constellation of society, law,and policy is rather diverse and complicated.
The ten chapters in the book investigate the effects of the internet and social media and can be categorized into three major policy areas: civil society, law, and foreign relations. The internet and new media promote various forms of civic engagement yet also create incivility, such as human flesh searches and rumor-mongering, which can lead to real-life damage. In response to the development and pervasiveness of the internet and social media and resulting online legal activism, the state adapts to new media through “participation, monitoring, regulating, censoring, and sanctioning” (p. 4). The internet provides a forum for the public to scrutinize the government and seek justice against illicit activities, but this may also undermine judicial independence. The effect of public opinion is not limited to domestic matters, as the later chapters demonstrate that internet and social media can enable populist nationalism to interfere with the country’s diplomatic policies, despite the leadership’s preferences.
The introduction of the book provides context for readers with historical trajectories and the current contours of Chinese cyberspace and social media. The theoretical articulation, backed by empirical analyses in each chapter, provides readers with in-depth context to understand the intricacies of the subject matter. Overall, this book gives great insights on the internet and social media in contemporary China, and it will serve as a valuable resource for researchers at all levels studying China.