China, Big Data, and Surveillance

Political Scientist Jessica Teets describes the ways China is using big data and surveillance to develop its new “social credit system.” Sometimes maligned in the Western media, the social credit system doesn’t just punish bad behavior, Teets notes, it also rewards good behavior. Also, despite the authoritarian aspects of the social credit system, Teets explains it has the potential to result in better governance since it also applies to government officials and companies.