This chapter introduces the analytical framework of the book. It presents a typology of two modes of governance – the command-and-control and popular corporatism logics – with examples from China. It presents each logic in its extreme form to emphasize their differences in the dynamic relation between the state, platform firms, and users. In the command-and-control logic, platform firms are intermediaries that follow and implement the policies of the state, while popular corporatism emphasizes the important role of platform firms. According to this alternative framework, large profit-driven platform firms have bargaining power against the state. That implies they not only refuse to comply without being authorized to do so by the state but also receive concessions from the state. The source of such business power stems from data that is produced by citizens. While positive incentives draw users to platforms, users may engage less or move to alternative platforms when given choices. In this way, users signal their bottom line to platforms through the actions taken on the platform. In authoritarian contexts, this dynamic may lead to conflicts with demands from political elites, thus motivating noncompliance and resistance by platforms.