Browsing by Author "Aslan, Mesut"

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Citation - WoS: 5
Citation - Scopus: 7
China's Charm Defensive: Image Protection by Acquiring Mass Entertainment
(Wiley, 2020) Yildirim, Nilgun Elikucuk; Aslan, Mesut
Focusing on discussion of China's soft power resources, this article argues that China performs two kinds of soft power strategies in developing and developed countries: offensive and defensive, respectively. While China's charm offensive aims to consolidate her comprehensive power through a development model, aid, investment, traditional culture, foreign policy, and international broadcasting in developing countries, the defensive aspect of China's soft power strategy aims to soften the rise of China with traditional culture by introducing appealing parts of Chinese culture through investments and international broadcasting in Western countries. China applies classical soft power tools in developing countries while she endeavors to protect her image in Western countries defensively. China's alternative defensive approach to soft power is mostly implemented through the acquisition of media outlets, and via the entertainment sector and gaming industry by Chinese-owned companies. However, even in the defensive and offensive bifurcation, if charm attacks result in failure, China could turn take a defensive stance in developing countries.
Citation - WoS: 1
Citation - Scopus: 2
Diffusion of Digital Authoritarianism? Censorship, Surveillance and Beyond in Türkiye
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2024) Aslan, Mesut; Yilmaz, Gozde
The expansion of authoritarianism in the world has led to increased debates about digital authoritarianism as well as the diffusion of authoritarianism. However, these two topics have not been addressed together despite the digital world being a strong candidate for diffusion. This study explores whether digital authoritarian diffusion occurs from China and/or Russia to T & uuml;rkiye by examining the models of China and Russia and unpacking the Turkish model of digital authoritarianism. We argue that the Turkish model is inspired by the Chinese and Russian models, but without the active promotion of those models by authoritarian centres. Instead, analyses of the legal framework, technology and surveillance practices suggest that there is an indirect and passive as well as internally driven process at work.