The Dictator's Dilemma: Information Control in Authoritarian Regimes

This chapter explores the challenges authoritarian leaders face in understanding public sentiment, particularly through the lens of single-party communist regimes. It examines various strategies these regimes use to control information flow and the resulting complexities of data collection, including the risks of misinformation and the dynamics of protests. By contrasting the experiences of autocrats with democratic systems, the discussion highlights broader implications for governance and the importance of accurate information in decision-making.