Will new information technologies, especially the Internet, bring freedom and democracy to authoritarian China? This study argues that the Internet has brought about new dynamics of socio-political changes in China, and that state power and social forces are transforming in Internet-mediated public space.

Its findings are fourfold. First, the Internet empowers both the state and society. The Internet has played an important role in facilitating political liberalization, and made government more open, transparent, and accountable. Second, the Internet produces enormous effects which are highly decentralized and beyond the reach of state power. Third, the Internet has created a new infrastructure for the state and society in their engagement with (and disengagement from) each other. Fourth, the Internet produces a recursive relationship between state and society. The interactions between the state and society over the Internet end up reshaping both the state and society.

"As a China expert, Zheng's superior knowledge on China allows him to execute an insightful and balanced analysis of the Internet's impacts on the state-society relations in China . . . Overall, this is a truly well-researched and well-written book. Zheng has successfully provided a conceptual framework to assist our understanding of the political impact of the Internet in China. This book is a must-read for those scholars studying contemporary China. It is useful for relevant graduate courses in the fields of political science, sociology, and business." - Journal of Chinese Political Science

"By reviewing the impact of information technology on political development in China, Zheng seeks to explore the dynamics of socio-political changes brought about by the Internet, the transformation of state power and social forces in Internet-mediated public space, and how the Internet provides an arena for the mutual empowerment of the state and society . . . Highly recommended." - Choice