We Have Been Harmonized

We Have Been Harmonized is Kai Strittmatter's account of China's social credit system and digital surveillance infrastructure. The book documents how the Chinese government uses technology, data collection, and behavioral monitoring to control its population, examining both the technical systems and their human consequences. Strittmatter, a longtime China correspondent, combines investigative reporting with personal observations to show how surveillance has become woven into everyday life. The work is significant for Western audiences seeking to understand the mechanics and implications of authoritarian digital governance.

The book explores the philosophical and practical underpinnings of China's approach to social control, contrasting it with Western privacy norms. It examines specific cases and systems—from facial recognition to financial blacklisting—to illustrate how technology amplifies state power. Strittmatter argues that understanding China's model is crucial for democracies grappling with their own surveillance challenges.