The concept of the informational state: the principles of formation and the main challenges in modern conditions

This article analyzes the concept of an informational state and examines its specific characteristics along with the consequences of its functioning for the development of democracy. It argues that the informational state is characterized by a shift from traditional bureaucratic structures to more flexible networked structures that rely on digital technologies to collect, process, store and disseminate information. This changes ignificantly affects implementation of state management functions and causes the emergence of new forms of interaction between citizens and a state, including new tools of citizen participation, transparency and accountability. The aim of this article is to substantiate the concept of "informational state" based on the analysis of domestic and foreign studies of deep transformations caused by the active penetration of information and communication technologies into all spheres of social relations and state functioning. The concept of the informational state creates a foundation for further understanding of how digital technologies transform the relationship between a state and its citizens. While informational state offers many advantages for the functioning of a democratic political regime, it also faces several problems that require quick and radical solutions.These include data protection and privacy issues, technological gap, information overload, and cyber security threats. The transition of modern democracies to a new stage of their development dictates the need for research and scientific substantiation of the concept of the informational state aimed at its further instrumentalization and adaptation to social and political processes, in particular in Ukraine. Since information has penetrated into all spheres of social and political relations, there is a need for securing its normative and legal foundations.