The State Transformation Features in the Context of Digital Technologies Development

Introduction. Nowadays digitalization, development of the information and telecommunication technologies affect all spheres of society life. Scientists disagree in their assessment of these processes: some believe that digitalization is one of the global problems of our time, others emphasize its importance for ensuring the economic growth of a state. The process of forming the information society is recognised to become a new stage in development of civilization. To understand the essence of the society transformation induced by the information technologies, it is necessary to clearly define the prerequisites for the origin of this phenomenon. The study has revealed that in the present-day context of digital transformation the law and legal technology are noticeably lagging behind the rapid development of digital communications. Despite the existing diversity in understanding of a state and sufficient study thereof, the problem of the “digital state” concept definition still remains, due to the absence of this definition in the normative legal acts. The aim of the study is to analyse the concept of a “digital state”, identify problems in the field of public governance caused by development of the digital technologies, and develop the recommendations for efficient transformation of a state in the context of digitalization. Materials and Methods. To ensure the relevance and reliability of the results obtained, the study was conducted using the general and specific methods of scientific cognition, in particular, the dialectical method, method of content analysis of the normative legal acts, comparative legal study, as well as historical, systemic, structural-functional, logical and other methods. Various approaches to interpreting the legal norms were used to distinguish regularities in their implementation. The method of content analysis of the regulatory legal acts and logical method enabled understanding the essence of a digital state. The modeling method made it possible to formulate the proposals on improving the legislation in this field. Results. Modern understanding of a state was studied, the concept of a "digital state" was analysed. The state transformation features and problems in the context of digital technologies development were revealed. The article substantiated the need of legal regulation transformation to ensure not only protection from the cyber threats, but also implementation of the constitutional rights and freedoms of the citizens in the digital environment, as well as support of the communication efficiency in the new conditions. Discussion and Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, the recommendations have been developed for efficient transformation of a state in the context of digitalization. The present work is significant for development of the Russian juridical science and improvement of the public authorities’ work. The problems revealed in the studied subject area indicate the expediency of enhancing the efficiency of implementing a concept of a digital state. The theoretical and practical conclusions formulated by the authors are proposed for further research and enhancement of the acting legislation of the Russian Federation.