Digital Authoritarianism and the Erosion of Democratic Norms: A Comparative Study of State Surveillance in Hybrid Regimes

Abstract

This article examines the growing phenomenon of digital authoritarianism and its impact on the erosion of democratic norms in hybrid political regimes. By comparing state surveillance practices in Turkey, Hungary, and India, the study identifies how digital technologies are utilized by governments to monitor, control, and suppress dissent while maintaining a façade of democratic legitimacy. Employing a qualitative comparative case study methodology, data were collected from official documents, human rights reports, and expert interviews. The findings indicate that digital authoritarian strategies are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are often normalized through legal frameworks and nationalist rhetoric. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on digital governance and political control, highlighting how technological tools can be weaponized to limit civil liberties and weaken democratic institutions in the digital age.