Digital Services as a Stage of Ecosystem Development in Modern Russian Politics

Abstract

Introduction. The article deals with issues related to the comprehensive phenomenon of modernity, the Internet. Attention is paid to new phenomena of its development, such as the emergence of digital services and platforms as well as the creation of digital ecosystems. Domestic and foreign approaches to the analysis of the ecosystem phenomenon are considered, and specific characteristics that are observed in the process of the formation of digital ecosystems in Russian politics are given. Materials and methods. The article presents the results of a survey of experts from 12 subjects of the Russian Federation, with a total sample of 134 respondents, aimed at determining the features of the formation and functioning of digital services in modern Russian politics. Experts assess the digital services of modern Russia and the potential of ecosystem development in politics. Analysis. Experts’ assessment of the existence of full-fledged ecosystems in politics at the moment in Russia is quite unambiguous. More than half of the experts note that at the moment there are no full-fledged ecosystems in politics, and only a small part of the experts note that they see certain elements of the manifestation of ecosystems in politics. At the same time, many experts note the effectiveness of the use of ecosystems in the commercial sphere, elements of which can be successfully used and integrated into ecosystems in politics. Results. The research conducted suggests that initially small digital services, as they developed, significantly transformed many traditional areas of activity. Moreover, they became the technologies that began to monopolize them, turning into global (both geographically and functionally) ecosystems. The Internet allows citizens and various political and civil institutions to simplify their own interactions through the use of modern advances in digital technologies. The creation of ecosystems is most effective when it is initiated by actors pursuing specific goals. In the case of ecosystems, there is a shortage of both subjectivity and goal-setting in politics. This significantly limits the incentives for the development of digital services. Authors’ contribution. Sokolov A.V.: formulation of the paper’s problem, creation of a theoretical concept, analysis of the literature on the research problem, scientific editing of the text of the paper, formulation of conclusions and research results. Frolov A.A.: creation of the main concept of the article, revision of the paper’s text, formulation of conclusions. Grebenko E.D.: data processing, preparation of the paper’s text and graphic results of the study, formulation of conclusions.