Digital nationalism in China: Expression, propaganda, and soft authoritarianism

This commentary explores the rise of digital nationalism in China, focusing on how the state utilizes a form of soft authoritarianism that blends subtle control with participatory aesthetic nationalist propaganda to shape and manage public discourse. Rather than relying solely on overt repression, the Chinese government leverages emotionally compelling narratives and strategic ambiguity to cultivate nationalist sentiment that appears spontaneous yet remains firmly aligned with state ideology. Nationalism here functions not simply as propaganda, but as a communicative infrastructure embedded within everyday digital practices, designed to generate affective compliance. By selectively permitting expression while carefully curating tone and content, the state creates a controlled participatory space that reinforces its legitimacy. This evolving model of soft authoritarianism challenges traditional binaries of censorship and freedom, presenting a more adaptive and nuanced mode of governance that other authoritarian regimes may increasingly adopt in the digital era.