Acceptance or Resignation? Surveillance Technologies in China between the Social Credit System and Covid-19

In this thesis, I investigate the factors contributing to the high level of approval for the Social Credit System (SCS) in Cina. I explore the Chinese model of e-governance, provide a detailed overview of the SCS, explore the measures adopted to contrast the Covid-19 pandemic and the backlash they caused in the form of the "A4 Revolution", and finally I analyze and explain the high level of public support for the SCS. My research employs a qualitative strategy based on an abductive approach which correlates theory and findings in order to answer my selected research question. Key findings indicate that the integration of advanced technology, cultural values of social harmony, and the Chinese government's efforts to balance surveillance and privacy have contributed to the widespread acceptance of the SCS. I conclude that a combination of historical, cultural, and technological factors plays a significant role in the approval of the SCS, shedding light on the complex dynamics of governance in the digital age.