This report examines whether and how furthering Internet freedom can empower civil society vis-à-vis public officials, make the government more accountable to its citizens, and integrate citizens into the policymaking process. Using case studies researchers focus on the impact of Internet freedom on freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the right to cast a meaningful vote, all of which are the key pillars of political space.

Ch. 1 : Introduction: The Autocratic Challenge and Internet Freedom -- ch. 2. :The Internet and Political Process in Different Regimes -- ch. 3 : Cyberactivists, Social Media, and the Anti-Mubarak Protests in Egypt -- ch. 4 : Internet Freedom and Political Change in Syria -- ch. 5 : The Internet in China : Threatened Tool of Expression and Mobilization --ch. 6 : Fighting Electoral Fraud in the 2011 Russian Election with Internet and Social Media -- ch. 7 : Information Freedom During the Cold Wars The Impact of Western Radio Broadcasts -- ch. 8 : Internet Freedom : Measure and Countermeasure -- ch. 9 : Key Findings and Policy Implications for Internet Freedom Programs' Design -- Appendix : Electoral Fraud Variable and Summary Statistics for the Russia Case Study.