"Shows how autocrats structure interaction between citizens and leaders to manage information dilemmas and build regime legitimacy. Uses interviews, original surveys, and text analysis to highlight the tools used by Russian President Vladimir Putin to reinforce his now twenty-year rule-and how these tools may backfire against the regime" -- Provided by publisher.

A theory of participatory technologies --Varieties of participatory technologies in nondemocracies -- The direct line with Vladimir Putin -- Information management, performative governance, and image making in the direct line -- Manufacturing consent : the impact of participatory technologies on political attitudes -- Who buys in? The conditional and polarizing effects of participatory technologies.