DOI: 10.46340/eppd.2025.12.4.3
Tetyana Goncharuk-Cholach, ScD in Philosophy
West Ukrainian National University
Oleh Rudakevych, ScD in Political Science
West Ukrainian National University
Mykola Lazarovych, ScD in Political Science
West Ukrainian National University
Myroslava Huryk, PhD in History
West Ukrainian National University
Ruslan Chyhur, PhD in History
West Ukrainian National University
How to cite: Goncharuk-Cholach, T., Rudakevych, O., Lazarovych, M., Huryk, M., & Chyhur, R. (2025). Digital Resistance in Authoritarian Realities and Technologies of Political Changes. Evropský politický a právní diskurz, 12, 4, 20-31. https://doi.org/10.46340/eppd.2025.12.4.3
Abstract
The article aims to analyze technology’s role in the development of political movements, along with singling out activism problems in countries with limited political freedoms. In particular, the emphasis is placed on using technologies for mobilization, information sharing, and resisting repression. For this purpose, comparativist and observational methods were used, allowing for a deeper investigation of the posed questions and obtaining a complete picture of contemporary political activism. The study showed that in the context of globalization, technology plays a crucial role in developing political movements, especially in countries with limited freedoms. The Internet, social media, mobile applications, and other digital tools have become essential in organizing protests and political campaigns. They allow activists to remain anonymous, share information efficiently, and coordinate actions, often bypassing censorship and repression. Digital technologies open new possibilities for strengthening movements by enabling activists to organize protests and oppose violations. However, the same tools also pose challenges for democracy and human rights, as authoritarian regimes exploit them to expand surveillance, block resources, monitor citizens, and violate privacy. The results highlight the need for further study of the balance between using technologies to support democratic processes and human rights and the threats they pose under authoritarianism. Comparing the effectiveness of technologies in countries with different political systems is a key direction for future research. This will help assess the impact of new technologies on mobilization and political freedom in various contexts. Special attention should be paid to emerging forms of activism, such as online protests and digital campaigns, which continue to reshape political landscapes and the very nature of activism, mobilization, and the fight for human rights today.
Keywords: technologies, authoritarian political regime, political movements, activism, political freedoms limitations, protest, resistance.
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