DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS IN THE POLITICAL SPHERE: ANALYSIS OF TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the experience of digital ecosystems functioning in the political sphere of modern Russia. The relevance of the research topic is due to the significant influence of digital technologies on various aspects of politics, including public administration, electoral processes, international relations and much more. Studying the mechanisms of digital ecosystems’ functioning and their impact on the political sphere allows us to identify new trends, opportunities and problems associated with the development of modern society. Based on an analysis of ongoing digital ecosystem projects in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the authors identify the most popular and effective services of these cities, providing citizens with the opportunity to conveniently and quickly receive government services remotely, participate in solving urban development issues, and implement various forms of electronic civil participation, as well as assessment of the quality of public authorities’ work. The authors pay special attention to the analysis of scientific approaches to the study of digital ecosystems in politics, identifying the main components of digital ecosystems in the business environment, identifying opportunities and risks for the development of digital ecosystems in the political sphere. A significant place in this work is given to the results of a study of two expert focus groups conducted in Moscow and St. Petersburg on the topic «Features of interaction between the state and the citizen in the digital environment», which made it possible to identify the reasons for the low level of electronic civic participation and the necessary measures for further improvement of digital government services. In conclusion, the authors determine further prospects for the development of digital ecosystems, formulate recommendations for government authorities aimed at promptly identifying existing problems in the digital ecosystems’ functioning and effectively responding to them by governments. The main research questions of this article are the following: What topics related to the digital ecosystems’ functioning in business and politics are the most relevant in the scientific community? How are digital ecosystems developing and what role do they play in the political sphere and business environment of modern Russia? What are the benefits and risks of digital ecosystems in politics? Which government digital services are most in demand by residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg? What prospects await digital ecosystems in Russia?

Keywords:

digital ecosystems, digital technologies, information and communication technologies, business, politics, e-government, smart city, electronic voting, civic participation