From Techno-Authoritarian to Techno-Democratic Imaginaries: A Democratic Curve?

This paper introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework to explore the dual role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in shaping political systems. Central to this analysis is the concept of the “democratic curve,” a non-linear trajectory that encapsulates how ICTs can simultaneously foster democratization in authoritarian regimes while eroding democratic values in consolidated democracies. ICTs have long been hailed as tools of liberation and inclusion, yet they increasingly reveal their capacity to exacerbate societal divides, fuel surveillance, enable and exacerbate populist and authoritarian trends and practices. Addressing these tensions, this paper integrates two key conceptual lenses: the established notion of “techno-authoritarian imaginaries” and the emerging idea of “techno-democratic imaginaries.” Techno-authoritarian imaginaries represent collective visions of dystopian futures in which ICTs are co-opted to suppress freedoms and entrench autocratic control. These imaginaries help explain how ICTs are perceived as instruments of mass surveillance, data manipulation, and the erosion of democratic accountability. Drawing on examples such as facial recognition technology, these imaginaries highlight the risks posed by unregulated ICTs in both transitional and advanced democracies. As Schopmans and Tuncer Ebetürk (2024) argue, these imaginaries play a central role in mobilizing civil society resistance to perceived threats of democratic regression, particularly in contexts where ICTs are misused by governments or corporations to consolidate power. In contrast, techno-democratic imaginaries envision desirable futures in which ICTs are harnessed to deepen democratic engagement, promote transparency, and empower marginalized groups. These imaginaries emphasize the potential for ICTs to strengthen deliberative democracy, reduce corruption, increase transparency and accountability, and foster inclusivity when designed and governed ethically. For example, participatory platforms like Decidim in Spain and blockchain-based voting systems illustrate how ICTs may enhance democratic processes. Such imaginaries are essential for counterbalancing techno-authoritarian narratives and for encouraging the governance of emerging technologies. The paper argues that the interplay between these imaginaries is crucial for understanding the divergent impacts of ICTs on democratization and democratic regression. By integrating these conceptual frameworks into the democratic curve, this study illuminates how ICTs foster democratization in authoritarian contexts by enabling dissent, disseminating information, and lowering barriers to political participation. However, the same technologies, when unregulated, can amplify civic polarization, allow algorithmic manipulation, overwhelm democratic institutions, and enable mass surveillance in advanced democracies. Through a comparative analysis of ICT governance across cultural and political contexts, including case studies on the regulation of facial recognition technology in the United States and the European Union, the paper illustrates how contextual factors mediate ICT’s democratic potential. For instance, Schopmans and Tuncer Ebetürk (2024) reveal how resistance to AI-powered surveillance is framed differently in the U.S. (emphasizing racial injustice and privacy) and the EU (emphasizing data protection), thus reflecting broader socio-political dynamics. This paper concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for ICT governance frameworks that prioritize techno-democratic imaginaries to mitigate risks of digital authoritarianism. By situating ICTs within broader debates on governance, participation, and civic innovation, this study hopes to offer insights into the transformative power of technology and its potential to shape both democratic and authoritarian futures.