Old 20th-century totalitarian governments mostly failed because it took a lot of resources to control citizens; are we entering a new era of totalitarian dictatorships around the world simply because technologies make it so easy for governments

Instructions for Part 5: Finalizing and Submitting Your Research Paper

In Part 5 of your research paper, you will complete, finalize, and submit the final paper.

Submission Details

• Submit the final paper as a WORD file in APA style by Sunday, June 08.
• However, continue improving, revising and editing the paper further. Then, attend Tuesday’s class, have your improved final paper (on your laptop or printed, not on the phone), enagage in peer review activities, then you will be allowed to submit the paper again after the class. This opportunity does not apply to students who do not submit the paper on Sunday or do not attend Tuesday’s class.
• The final paper is worth 50% of your grade.

Length

• The paper should be 5000 words (+_ 10%)

Research Evidence

• Use 15 or more relevant, recent, and reliable sources.
• Include both in-text citations and a References list in APA style.

Organization of the Final Paper

1. Title Page

• Follow APA style for the title page. It should be on a separate page (No Table of Content is required for academic papers.)
• Paper APA Format Guidelines Resources:
• https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format
• https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_sample_paper.html

1. Abstract

• Provide a concise summary of the main points of your paper in 150-250 words, along with 5-7 keywords.
• Avoid citations in the Abstract.
• For guidance on writing an abstract, refer to:

· https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/writing-an-abstract-for-your-research-paper/

· https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/abstract

1. Introduction (see instructions and resources in Part 4 on Announcements)

• Refer to Part 4 instructions on the Course Announcement for guidance.
• Include background research and cite sources in APA style.
• The Introduction should be 400-500 words.

Body Section

• Write this section in multiple paragraphs analyzing and discussing the issue/topic in detail.
• Use headings and subheadings to organize your arguments and discussions.
• Support your arguments with research findings and sources.
• Cite all borrowed information, facts, and data using APA in-text citations.
• Paraphrase borrowed material to avoid plagiarism.

Conclusion (see instructions and resources in Part 4 on Announcements)

• Restate the thesis and summarize the main arguments.
• Relate the topic to real-world applications and the audience.
• Provide recommendations, predictions, and ideas for future research.
• Ensure the conclusion brings closure to your paper.

References (Consult APA Resources on Announcements)

• Include all sources cited in the text in the References list, formatted in APA style.
• Ensure that all items in the References list match the in-text citations, and vice versa.

Important Notes

• The use of AI tools, paraphrasing tools, or translating tools in writing this paper is strictly prohibited.
• If AI involvement is detected, the paper will receive a zero.
• AI-generated content often includes distinct language patterns and may reference non-existent or fabricated articles.

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The following has been copied/pasted from assignment file in Unit 8: Research Paper Part 5: Final Paper

Writing your Research Essay

These points about writing your research essay are intended to give you some insights into what constitutes a scholarly paper along with presenting some ideas as to why a scholarly essay is constituted the way that it is. It is by no means to be construed as a comprehensive guide to essay-writing – you can access more information on Student Online Services (SOS) or Google for such guides if you wish – but is meant, rather, to present some key factors and express them in a manner that many published guides do not. Your formal scholarly research essay needs to follow certain timeworn practices in order for it to fulfill its object of offering its reader insights that are truthful. Most of the academic articles included as required reading in HUMN 422 are examples of scholarly writing that you can take as an example of how to write your research essay.

An essay, however, not only serves to inform and convince the reader with knowledge and insights, it serves as a structure that allows you, as its author, to understand the topic that you are writing about better. ‘Better’ means more objectively, rationally, logically, and clearly. The ability to write good scholarly writing is, in many respects, the same ability that you use for good insightful, scholarly thought.

Convincing Information and Analysis

Formal scholarly essays are constituted so that they are objectively true. Objectivity is in contrast to other forms of writing, such as a subjective essay written from the author’s idiosyncratic individual biases, or an exercise in rhetoric. Rhetoric is writing meant primarily to persuade rather than to inform, and has a long tradition in Western classical scholarship. A formal scholarly essay, however, must appeal to the intellect rather than the passions. A well-written scholarly work is one where every statement, and every sentence is somehow proven to be true to the reader.

To offer this kind of objective ‘proof’ when you write your essay you really have only a handful of possibilities. These are as follows:

1. Use logical argument: Logic is the science of the formal principles of reasoning that demonstrates a sequence of thoughts that lead to a valid thought. For example, the statement: “All hippies have long hair”, and the statement that “John is a hippy”, forces, through logic, to state that “John has long hair”. In your own use of logic, you may have to present a somewhat muted version of this type of reasoning, but the “Most hippies … John is … John most likely has” logic still has validity.
2. Use examples: In your essay, particularly if it involves abstract conceptualizations, ‘truth’ can often best be established by offering examples of what insight you are offering the reader. Examples can be weak or strong supporters of your insight, depending upon how generalizable they are. If, for instance, I write “rear-engined cars are considerably more dangerous than front-engined cars” I can offer an analysis of the pendulum-like weight distribution of rear-engined cars versus other configurations, but I can also write that: “Rear-engined Porsche 911s are frequently known to be in single-vehicle accidents” I have sort of offered ‘proof’. Whether or not that ‘proof’ is acceptable to the reader or not, depends on a number of factors, including whether the rear suspension of the Porsche 911 was to blame, the accident statistics are believable, and so on. One thing that examples do accomplish, however, is that they ‘concretize’ the abstract concept so that a reader can envision and understand it. Using examples is often the best way to explain a concept. Using examples is really just about using the principles of deductive and inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning takes an example and makes a generalization from it. Its credibility relies on how representative the example is of other examples. Deductive reasoning would apply a generalized idea, such as an abstract concept (e.g. rear-engined cars) and apply it to a specific example (e.g. the Porsche 911).
3. Cite an outside authority: Most interesting scholarly papers attempt to add to the existing body of knowledge, and do so by constructing their knowledge on the foundation of previous knowledge. This is how progress happens in many instances, just as technological innovation tends to build on past technologies. If you are to make a case for an insight, analysis, or point in your essay, you can establish its credibility by citing other credible authors and their writings. This requires, however, that the sources you cite are considered, and are seen to be considered, truthful and reliable. What constitutes a valid source is described in the links listed below: “Evaluation During Reading” and “Annotated Bibliography”. It is sufficient to use a citation format – such as APA required in this course (though other formats are as good, and arguably better) to establish this type of substantiation in your essay.

The one thing you should ask yourself, after writing every single statement and sentence, is: “Did I offer convincing substantiation of this point to the reader?” You really need to do this for your entire essay for it to fulfill the requirements of good scholarship. Keep in mind too, that most readers will tend, out of simple human nature, to disbelieve everything you say if they should stumble across one thing you say that they think is untrue.

Abstract

For your Research Paper ensure you write your Abstract following the guidelines and requirements described in “The Report Abstract and Executive Summary” in the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Introduction

Refer to Part 4: Introduction for details on writing the introduction.

Essay Body Structure

Good structure of an essay follows the same rules as good writing. Generally paragraphs should be used to isolate different ideas from one another, and each paragraph needs to follow upon the previous paragraph with some kind of connecting idea. Connecting ideas are often indicated by connecting words and phrases such as ‘however’, ‘as in the previous argument’, ‘in contrast’, ‘accepting this premise we conclude’, and so on. The connections, that can be stated either at the beginning or ends of paragraphs (or both) are numerous and amenable to creative writing styles.

The structure of your essay sometimes is usefully divided not just by well-defined paragraphs, but also by sections delineated by headings. For additional information on headings, refer to Part 3: List of Headings.

Conclusion

Every scholarly essay requires an introduction and a conclusion, even if these sections are not overtly labelled as such. The conclusion really is a summation of what was said, proven, and/or discovered, in the body of the essay relative to the thesis question. The conclusion needs to restate the thesis question in some manner (that is, it need not and perhaps should not be verbatim), and say, in concentrated form just what the essay said about it. One common mistake is to introduce new ideas in the conclusion. You should avoid this. As a general rule, you as the writer should only include in the conclusion what is found in the essay itself. The only exception to this is that it is sometimes appropriate to indicate further areas of inquiry and study in the conclusion. The common saw about the structure of a good speech is that it “tells the audience what you are going to tell them; tells them; tells the audience what you told them.” The principles of a good essay are quite similar.

Essay Presentation

Your goal in writing your essay is to express ideas, often quite complex ideas, in a manner that is easily understood by an educated reader. Your form of substantiation, your essay structure, and the presentation of your essay should enhance and not impede your readers’ understanding. And again, good writing is a skill that enables good thinking. Your essay may be a most brilliant piece of insightful writing, but unless you present your essay well, its ideas may be overshadowed or ignored. There are a few basics about essay presentation that you should follow:

• Title Page: Your essay requires a title page that includes your essay’s title, your name, the name of the course, and the date. These should be centred and neat.
• Abstract: This summarizes your paper’s key findings in a succinct form.
• Number Pages: You will be formatting your essay as a document (usually a Word Document) and so it will have pages. In the digital world, some documents don’t have pages. The title page and the first page should not have page numbers written on them, subsequent pages should (starting, therefore, at “3”.
• Fonts: General practice is to use serif fonts for text, and san-serif fonts for titles. One common preference is for 12-point Palatino linotype for text, and 12, 14, and 16-point bolded Arial for titles. Non-capitalized serif fonts are easiest to read because the reader’s eye quickly sees the overall shape of the word. ALL-CAPITALS and sans-serif fonts, do not have that easy shape. Fonts should be in a very dark colour (black, dark teal, etc.) and the background should always be white.
• Bibliography: You require a bibliography (not your annotated bibliography) for your essay. It should include primary sources and scholarly sources. You should include as many bibliographic references as you need; however, it is hard to imagine that you would have fewer than 15 or so for a 5,000-word paper.
• What and How to Cite: Cite all ideas that are not common knowledge and are not yours. These need not be direct quotations. Cite all direct quotations. Quotations less than four lines should be included within “quotation marks”. Quotations greater than four lines should be indented on both the left and right-hand sides, and single-space.
• Citation Format: Your essay is to be formatted, as a standard imposed by RCC, in APA citation style. There are good reasons not to use APA style, but it has, for better or worse, become the standard used by most academic presses.
• Photos and Illustrations: Our digitized universe, and the fact that you will be submitting your essay as an electronic document, means that photos and illustrations are technically easy to include. While scholarly essays traditionally do not include photos and illustrations, you should feel free to include any that you deem appropriate in terms of furthering the scholarly expression of your essay. They should, however, be formatted in terms of size, location, and citation.
• Word Count: The word count for this assignment is 5000 words (+-500 word, excluding Title and Reference pages)”. The word counts for assignments in HUMN 422 are specified within very stringent limits. As an andragogic principle, the discipline of ‘drawing inside the lines’ is a useful one to learn. A trick that often works well for writing with a really clear, concise, punchy style is to over-write your number of words, and then trim sentence-by-sentence.
• Spelling and Grammar: There is no excuse, given computer programs, to misspell. Grammar programs tend to pick up many faults as well. Just do not make mistakes!
• Proof Reading: Almost nobody can write perfectly. Most people cannot see their own writing mistakes. Asking someone to proofread your essay assignment before submitting it does not constitute cheating, but rather, is something you should expect to do.
• Contractions: Contractions should not be used in formal writing.
• Words: Use the most specific words possible and avoid the weak generalized expressions.

Sources for Help

This document is meant to give some specific guidelines for your research essay, but is not comprehensive. There is an excellent online writing lab is maintained by Purdue University that you can refer to, and from which several required content readings in your course syllabus derived:

The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects.

There are numerous other guides to good writing. Recommended is Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style which is succinct at eighty-five pages, an entertaining easy read, and widely available.

RCC’s Student Online Support (SOS) has links to many good writing guidelines.

In this course, the following sources are required reading:

“Annotated Bibliography”

“Annotated Bibliographies” Purdue Online Writing Lab

“Evaluating Sources” in the Purdue Online Writing Lab

“Evaluation of a Peer’s Paper”

“The Report Abstract and Executive Summary” in the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Evaluation

The following rubric indicates those areas you should be focusing on in preparing your assignment, and how the instructor will weigh these components relative to one another.

Here is my assignment that u have to re-edit

Abstract

In today’s interconnected world, digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition, and data surveillance are reshaping how governments interact with and control their populations. This paper explores whether these emerging tools are pushing us toward a new era of totalitarianism—one where algorithms, not armies, maintain control. It begins by analyzing why traditional dictatorships of the 20th century collapsed, followed by an examination of modern tools like facial recognition, censorship, and predictive policing. Several real-world case studies illustrate how governments—both authoritarian and democratic—are adopting these tools. The paper also looks at the ethical responsibilities of tech corporations and how civil society can resist digital oppression. It concludes with a call to action: democratic societies must act now to protect privacy and freedom, or risk losing them to the invisible power of data-driven dictatorship.

Keywords: digital authoritarianism, surveillance, AI, facial recognition, democracy, technology ethics, censorship

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Introduction

Technology has become a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has enabled unprecedented progress in health, education, and global communication. On the other, it has created powerful tools that can be used to monitor, control, and even manipulate entire populations. This paper explores a critical question: Are we entering a new era of totalitarian dictatorships around the world simply because technologies make it so easy for governments?

In the 20th century, authoritarian regimes required armies, secret police, and brute force to suppress dissent. These methods were costly, inefficient, and often unsustainable. Today, however, a government can use digital surveillance systems, social media monitoring, and AI-powered algorithms to achieve the same goals—at a fraction of the cost and with far more precision.

Through historical context, case studies, and critical analysis of modern technologies, this paper argues that we are indeed entering a phase of digital authoritarianism. However, it also outlines how we can resist this shift and preserve the freedoms that define democratic societies.

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The Fall of 20th-Century Totalitarianism

In the 20th century, regimes like Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and Mao’s China relied on military force, propaganda, and surveillance to maintain their grip on power. These governments built massive infrastructures—secret police, prison camps, and censorship networks—to suppress dissent and enforce obedience. But their control systems had limits.

For example, the Soviet Union’s KGB monitored millions of citizens using human intelligence and informants. While effective for a time, this approach was incredibly expensive and inefficient. Maintaining large numbers of informants, suppressing revolts, and controlling the media required immense manpower and resources. Eventually, this model of control began to fail under its own weight.

Moreover, with the rise of mass education and global communication in the late 20th century, citizens became more aware of their rights and more connected to the outside world. Mass protests in Eastern Europe, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 signaled that such regimes could not survive indefinitely.

These totalitarian systems failed primarily because their control mechanisms were too slow, expensive, and prone to internal corruption. Importantly, they lacked the technological tools that would have allowed them to automate and scale their repression. Today, those tools exist.

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Digital Surveillance and Algorithmic Control

Modern authoritarianism operates not with secret police alone, but with facial recognition software, GPS tracking, and algorithmic decision-making. AI and big data allow governments to monitor and predict behavior, not just react to it. These technologies enable surveillance on a scale previously unimaginable.

Cameras equipped with AI can identify faces in a crowd, track their movements, and compare them with databases. Governments can now monitor internet activity, social media posts, and even private messages. Algorithms flag “suspicious” behavior—often with little transparency or recourse.

The most alarming aspect of this control is its invisibility. Unlike a physical checkpoint or a patrolling officer, algorithmic surveillance is silent and hidden. People often do not know when they are being watched, what data is collected, or how it might be used. This creates a chilling effect on free speech and dissent.

In China, for example, the government uses its “Social Credit System” to reward or punish behavior. Citizens with low scores may be banned from flying, denied loans, or blocked from accessing certain jobs. While framed as a way to promote good behavior, the system serves as a powerful tool for enforcing conformity.

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Facial Recognition, Censorship, and Predictive Policing

Facial recognition technology is now widespread and often unregulated. Governments around the world use it to track people in public spaces, identify protesters, and suppress dissent. In Hong Kong, protestors wore masks and used lasers to disrupt cameras during pro-democracy rallies, fearing identification and arrest.

Censorship also plays a major role in digital authoritarianism. Regimes like China and Iran restrict access to information by blocking websites, filtering search results, and monitoring online discussions. In Russia, the government requires internet companies to store user data and hand it over on demand.

Predictive policing adds another layer of concern. This AI-driven strategy uses data to anticipate where crimes might happen or who might commit them. But it often reflects and reinforces existing biases. In the U.S., predictive policing has disproportionately targeted minority communities, leading to over-policing and systemic inequality.

These tools, while presented as safety measures, are often used to restrict freedom. Without proper oversight, they become weapons of control rather than instruments of justice.

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Case Studies of Emerging Digital Authoritarianism

China

China is the clearest example of a digital authoritarian state. With over 500 million surveillance cameras, facial recognition, AI courts, and online monitoring systems, the Chinese Communist Party can control public behavior and suppress dissent. The Uyghur Muslim population in Xinjiang is subject to extreme monitoring, including facial scans, biometric data collection, and predictive risk scores that determine access to jobs and education.

Russia

Russia uses similar tools to suppress opposition. During anti-government protests, police identified and arrested participants using facial recognition software. The government also passed laws requiring tech companies to store data within Russian borders and hand it over when demanded. This strategy helped crack down on dissent after the arrest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Iran

Iran frequently shuts down the internet during protests, limiting citizens’ ability to communicate and organize. Social media activity is monitored, and those who criticize the government online can face arrest. The country has developed its own “halal internet,” which allows tighter control over domestic digital activity.

These cases demonstrate how technology enables authoritarian control that is faster, cheaper, and harder to detect than traditional methods.

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The Role of Corporations and Global Tech Firms

Tech companies play a complicated role in digital authoritarianism. On one hand, they develop and sell the tools used for surveillance. On the other, they are pressured to comply with authoritarian regimes or risk losing access to massive markets.

Some companies, like NSO Group, have created spyware such as Pegasus, which was used to target journalists and activists globally. Others, like Apple and Google, have removed apps and services from their platforms to comply with censorship laws in countries like China.

However, there are examples of resistance. WhatsApp and Signal use end-to-end encryption to protect users from surveillance. Apple has refused to create backdoors in its devices, citing privacy concerns. These decisions are crucial in protecting civil liberties in an increasingly surveilled world.

Ultimately, tech companies have a moral responsibility to consider the impact of their products. Profit should not come at the cost of freedom.

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Resisting Digital Dictatorship: Ethics, Policy, and Hope

Despite the risks, resistance is possible. Ethical frameworks, legal reforms, public education, and international pressure can help limit the power of digital dictatorships.

Ethical Design

Technology should be built with human rights in mind. This means transparency, accountability, and consent must be embedded into systems from the start. Developers should consider how their tools might be used—or misused—by oppressive regimes.

Strong Data Laws

Governments must implement strong data protection laws like the EU’s GDPR. These laws should require user consent, allow for data deletion, and limit the use of surveillance tools.

Public Awareness

Citizens should be educated about how their data is used and how to protect themselves online. Digital literacy, especially in schools, can help people make informed choices about the technologies they use.

Global Cooperation

The international community must hold authoritarian governments accountable for digital rights violations. Organizations like the UN, Amnesty International, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation play crucial roles in advocating for global standards.

By working together—across sectors and borders—we can push back against the rise of digital dictatorship.

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Conclusion

We are at a crossroads. Digital technologies offer enormous benefits, but they also give authoritarian governments powerful new tools to control their people. The shift from traditional to digital dictatorship is already underway, as seen in countries like China, Russia, and Iran.

However, the future is not set in stone. If we act now—through ethical technology, strong laws, and public resistance—we can prevent a world where surveillance is constant and freedom is only an illusion.

The challenge is great, but so is the opportunity. We must decide whether we will use technology to empower people—or to control them.

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