Public Administration at a Сrossroads: Manual Vertical Relationship, Institutions, оr Technologies?

Abstract

The article is devoted to the ramifications in the evolution of modern Russian public administration. The logic of the Special Military Operation seems to dictate the need for an additional concentration of power resources and a focus on the hierarchical relationship structure and “manual” management. Traditionally, this model was opposed by the Western approach, which called for an emphasis on the formation of effective institutions. It should be understood that the conflict with the West is, among other things, a competition of political decision-making systems. It would be strange if Russia were to start copying the well-known Western schemes now, but the preservation of traditional methods might not be the best solution either. The article proposes options for “playing ahead” (tempo battle) —  the use of digital government technologies, including modern expert systems that are still under development. At the same time, it shows that it is wrong and even dangerous to understand digitalisation of public administration only as the creation of convenient digital services.