Legal regulation of the digital transformation of local government in the Russian Federation and Asia countries: a comparative study

Abstract

Background. In this study, based on theoretical generalizations, the practice of constitutional and legal regulation, as well as conducting a comparative study, the issue of legal regulation of the digital transformation of local self-government in the Russian Federation and Asian countries is considered. The authors emphasize the relationship between the process of development of a technological innovation society and the need for a qualitative integration of new technologies into the organization and activities of public authorities, including at the municipal level. Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, the methods of a systematic approach, dialectical interdependence, behaviorism, historical-legal, comparative-legal and logical approaches were used. Results. On the basis of a comparative analysis, the authors identified general and specific areas of digital transformation of local self-government in the states under consideration, proposed a “careful” integration of a separate positive experience of some Asian countries into the Russian legal space. Conclusions. The ongoing transformational processes of local government are not finite, the modern Russian state is just beginning to actively rebuild its principles, approaches and methods aimed at involving local governments in digital transformation. It is logical to assume that the ongoing changes in domestic legal reality are comparable to similar processes in a number of foreign states. Taking into account the heterogeneity of development options for Asian countries, we consider it necessary to conduct a comparative analysis of the im-plementation of the digital transformation policy and the legal regulation of local governments with such countries as China (China), Japan, India, Indonesia, South Korea and Singapore as the most productive for ongoing digital transformation modern Russia. The introduction of artificial intelligence technologies, rapid technological progress and the digital transformation of the economy as a whole bring great benefits for development and local governments. Nevertheless, despite the recognition of the “inevitability” and importance of the digital transformation of public administration and its specific provision at the municipal level, there are still no clear uniform strategies for the development of not only local self-government in the new conditions, but also its adaptation to the information needs of society and the state.

Keywords

• local governments
• digital transformation
• information society
• comparative legal research
• asian countries