Jan Kleiner has published a new article in the prestigious journal Democratization
How Political Regimes Affect National Cybersecurity: The Polity Flux Effect
The digital era presents new challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity, with political regimes playing a crucial role in shaping national cyber defense strategies. This article examines the relationship between different types of political systems—democracies, autocracies, and transitional regimes (anocracies)—and their cybersecurity performance. By analyzing fourteen renowned cybersecurity indices (e.g., the Global Cybersecurity Index, National Cyber Security Index) alongside three key political indicators (Varieties of Democracy, Freedom in the World Index, Polity2), the study reveals that democracies generally exhibit stronger cybersecurity due to transparent institutions and robust legal frameworks. While autocracies benefit from centralized control that enables swift policy implementation, they face limitations stemming from a lack of democratic feedback mechanisms. Transitional regimes pose the greatest cybersecurity risks, both internally and to other states.
The study introduces the concept of the "Polity Flux Effect on Cybersecurity" and highlights the critical role of stable democratic institutions in strengthening national cybersecurity. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance legal and institutional frameworks during political transitions.
