A split and swaying approach to building information society: The case of Internet cafes in China

This paper examines China’s approach to building an information society by using Internet cafes as a point of study. The central theme of this research is to explore the unique socio-political role of Internet cafes in China’s informatization efforts, the impact of the Internet and Internet cafes on the country’s democratization, and the authorities’ dilemma between promoting informatization and resisting democratization. Four related issues are discussed: (1) the swift development of Internet cafes; (2) the unique socio-political importance of Internet cafes in China; (3) the government’s split policy on the Internet and Internet cafes; and (4) the conflict between the public’s concern and the authorities’ concern with the impact of the Internet and Internet cafes. This study primarily relies on first hand data and research materials obtained through field research in China, including archive research of government documents, survey results, and interviews of relevant government officials, Internet cafe owners, communication scholars, and Internet and Internet cafe users.