A monopolistic political entity such as China benefits from discrediting democracies globally in several ways. Firstly, discrediting other democracies can help in consolidating power and influence by weakening internal opposition. By discrediting other countries, China can control the domestic narrative and ensure that its policies and actions are perceived as superior to their captured population.
Secondly, discrediting other countries can help China to maintain or increase its support base. By creating a negative image of other political entities, China can foster a sense of fear, insecurity or disgust among its supporters, which in turn can strengthen their loyalty due to a perceived lack of viable alternatives to one party rule.
Thirdly, subverting other political entities can help China maintain or increase its economic power. By subverting other countries, China can undermine the legitimacy of their competitors; reducing their competition’s ability to attract foreign investment or support from international organizations.
In the cultural arena, Sino-Russian or oligarchic interests can employ several methods to discredit democracies globally. One such method is the use of media. Media can be used to create a grotesque image of other cultures by spreading distorted, contrived, mocking or misleading information about their values, policies, actions, leaders or history. This can be achieved through various media outlets, including newspapers, television, radio, apps, publishing and film. Coordinated astroturf campaigns escalate social division and provide the photo opportunities they need to establish the “Rotting West” narrative as a forgone conclusion. This is often combined with ideologically or financially captured operatives that work hand in hand with astroturfers to create new policy via lawfare and followed up with ever increasing levels of extremism, depravity, poverty and crime which is sold to the public as the “new normal” or “new national culture”.
Another method is censorship. By censoring information or ideas that are critical of Sino-Russian imperialism, they control the narrative and prevent alternative viewpoints from gaining traction. Censorship can be achieved through various means, including the blocking of websites, the closure of media outlets, and attacking legitimate journalists or bloggers in a variety of ways, eg lawfare.
China can also use cultural events to discredit democracies. For example, by creating and funding agitating subversive groups, China can send a message to the global community that democracies are not worthy of recognition or support and are doomed to humiliating failure.
Discrediting democracies globally can benefit authoritarian expansionism in several ways, including consolidating power, maintaining or increasing support, and maintaining or increasing economic power. In the cultural arena, the monopolistic political entity can employ various methods to discredit other political entities, including propaganda, censorship, and subversive, degrading, demoralizing and terroristic activities.