Survival innovation in authoritarian systems: linking policy adaptation, technological strategy, and sustainability in the Middle East

This study examines how authoritarian regimes leverage innovation as a strategic tool for policy adaptation and sustainable development while preserving political control. Contrary to the perception of authoritarianism as resistant to change, these regimes selectively embrace innovation to strengthen governance efficiency, reinforce legitimacy, and respond to socio-economic and environmental pressures. The paper conceptualizes ‘survival innovation’, a concept describing how authoritarian states pursue policy shifts not through democratic pressures but as adaptive responses to existential threats. Drawing on Middle Eastern cases particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt the analysis shows how centralized decision-making enables rapid policy implementation in economic diversification, digital governance, and sustainability initiatives. However, these innovations often reinforce state power rather than fostering inclusivity and grassroots participation, illustrating the paradox of authoritarian development. This study contributes to the discourse on governance, innovation, and sustainability in non-democratic contexts.