THE EFFECTS OF INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT RESTRICTIONS ON SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT
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Authors
Florio, Travis M.
Subjects
information operations
IO
information warfare
IW
influence
domestic audiences
support for government
messaging
narratives
willingness to fight
confidence in government
Department of Defense
DOD
press freedom
internet freedom
propaganda
information environment
IE
information advantage
information dominance
IO
information warfare
IW
influence
domestic audiences
support for government
messaging
narratives
willingness to fight
confidence in government
Department of Defense
DOD
press freedom
internet freedom
propaganda
information environment
IE
information advantage
information dominance
Advisors
Warren, Timothy C.
Date of Issue
2021-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The information age has spawned debate over how much control, if any, should be exercised by a nation state over its information environment (IE). How does a nation state’s control over its IE impact domestic support for the state? Analyzing data drawn from cross-national surveys combined with press and internet freedom levels for 29 nation states revealed that there are advantages and disadvantages to controlling an IE depending on the perceptions being measured. Domestic audiences in highly restricted IEs are more willing to support externally focused state narratives framed against outside threats and actors. These same audiences tend to be more skeptical when it comes to supporting state narratives regarding internal conditions of the state itself. This is due in part to domestic audiences perceiving states as self-interested. The evidence indicates that coercive controls tend to increase this perception. Conversely, states with less restricted IEs are not as effective in rallying their populations against outside threats, but they are more successful in advancing positive narratives concerning internal state conditions. This study provides a new theoretical and empirical approach to understanding domestic effects of IE restrictions, pointing toward important weaknesses in the stances of authoritarian governments, and highlighting lines of effort than can enable more effective achievement of strategic priorities.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
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NPS Report Number
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.