Thread by @ThinkDemocracy

📣 PROJECT LAUNCH: @ThinkDemocracy launches the Sharp Power Research Portal, a resource hub cataloging research and reporting on authoritarian #sharppower in 134 countries.

View the interactive map and database: sharppower.org

Global interdependence between autocracies and democracies has made open societies vulnerable to authoritarian manipulation in unanticipated ways, and the impact can be difficult to measure.

A clearer pattern emerges when incidents like the recent disappearance (and reappearance) of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai are viewed in the context of broader censorship and other influence efforts, @JesLudwig writes for the Power 3.0 blog. power3point0.org/2021/12/01/sha…

To help researchers, journalists, activists, and policymakers contextualize and connect patterns of authoritarian #sharppower, we created an interactive database cataloguing 750+ news articles, blog posts, analytical reports, and other resources. sharppower.org/resources/

Moving beyond a solely country-specific or regional lens, the Portal adds an additional layer of context by examining the tactics and effects of authoritarian influence in five sectors critical to the vibrancy and integrity of open societies.

In the media sphere, authoritarian influencers leverage propaganda, disinformation, censorship, and sway over content delivery systems to undercut the integrity of the information space. Find resources from @limlouisa @michaeldweiss @edwardlucas @lilkuo @lukeharding1968 + others

In the commercial sector, opaque financial flows from authoritarian influencers undermine the rule of law and democratic governance in recipient countries. Find resources from @suilee @noahbarkin @londonoe @tashecon @TheSentry_Org @CIPEglobal @CSIS + others

Authoritarian-induced censorship in the culture and entertainment sector permeates the art, film, television, sports, and video game industries. Find resources from @KarenAttiah @evadou @AynneKokas @RorySmith @tariqpanja @jrtager @bydanielvictor + others

In the knowledge sector, universities, think tanks, publishers, and other research institutions are targets of authoritarian influence. Find resources from @BethanyAllenEbr @ReidStan @nvanderklippe @ElizRedden @sinopsiscz @CADAL @cepa @HeathershawJ + others

Authoritarian powers take advantage of emerging technologies and the globally connected digital environment to extend their reach into open societies. Find resources from @He_Shumei @paulmozur @Kate_OKeeffe @dktatlow @iginioe @apolyakova @SteveJFeldstein @MartijnRasser + others

The Sharp Power Research Portal is an outgrowth of our research on authoritarian influence, including the seminal 2017 report, “Sharp Power: Rising Authoritarian Influence” (bit.ly/3dtNy85), and the Sharp Power and Democratic Resilience series (bit.ly/3bpWOX6)

Ahead of the #SummitforDemocracy, we hope the Sharp Power Research Portal will be a valuable tool for uncovering patterns + geographic comparisons that will help bring even more instances of #sharppower to light. Explore the map and resource database here: sharppower.org/#map

Join us on Dec. 7 at 8:00 AM for a discussion with @DominHajdu @GLOBSEC @TTCATz @doublethinklab @JesLudwig @JKGinDC @KSheives + George Sarpong on civil society-led approaches to accelerate learning about #sharppower @Int_IDEA ned.org/events/resisti…