Issue № 82. October 2020

Formation of “Digital Government” Concept in Political Science and Prospects for Its Implementing in Russia

DSc (Political Sciences), Professor, Department of Russian Policy, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: vasilenko.irina@mail.ru

The article discusses the formation of a “digital government” concept in political science, as well as the prospects for its use in Russian conditions. The relevance of the research topic is defined by the modern political course of our country towards the construction of information society and digital economy, which requires a higher level of organization of power and management in the face of new challenges of society digitalization. The main aim of the study is to consider the conceptual transition in political science from the model of “electronic government” that has already lost its heuristic potential to the new model of “digital government”; identify the most significant features and principles of the new model and the prospects for its implementation in domestic practice. The research methodology is interdisciplinary in nature, at the intersection of political science, public administration, communication and management. The analysis made it possible to conclude that the new model of “digital government” is based on a single “platform” approach to organizing the work of the government and its interaction with civil society; using “digital by default” and “digital from start to finish”; flexible network management structure focused on citizens; priority attention to the development of innovation in all areas of production and public life. It is proved that in our country there are certain sociocultural barriers to the introduction of digital government, therefore, when moving to a new model, it is necessary to take into account not only technological factors, but also the influence of geography, sociocultural traditions, and the level of development of human capital. It is shown that the urgent task on the path to the transition to digital government in Russia is to increase the level of digital communication culture in society, align regional imbalances in the digitalization of territories and overcome the digital inequality of citizens. The transition to digital government should be accompanied by effective legal regulation and coordinated at the highest level by the introduction of a special post of deputy prime minister (or minister) for digital transformation and the adoption of a special law that would introduce the concept of “digital government” and more clearly regulate public relations in this area.

Keywords

Digital government, e-government, digital technology, innovation, innovation policy, national innovation system, digital society, digitalization of public space.

DOI: 10.24411/2070-1381-2020-10099