Open AccessComparative analysis of the technocratic governance cases and deliberative-democratic self-rule in the internet-sphere
Author(s) -
Andrey N. Linde
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pravo i upravlenie. xxi vek
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2587-5736
pISSN - 2073-8420
DOI - 10.24833/2073-8420-2020-1-54-51-60
Subject(s) - technocracy , public sphere , democracy , deliberative democracy , the internet , cybernetics , corporate governance , sociology , political science , public relations , epistemology , economics , law , computer science , politics , management , philosophy , world wide web
. The paper compares two approaches to the formation of the internet-sphere. The technocratic approach strengthens itself in the cybernetic-system methodology, it is based on the technocratic governance of society and implies the total governance of the internet-sphere in the interests of the government, the suppression of the individual personality by “programming” its consciousness. This approach is evidenced by “the system of social credit” in China.The deliberative-democratic approach emerges from phenomenology and substantiates an egalitarian model of democracy which implies a universal discussion and importance of the meanings sent by each person in the internet-sphere. The case of online-deliberative forums is analyzed. These forums serve to reveal the opinions of the citizens themselves and to define the genuine public opinion. The advantages of the second approach are identified. Materials and methods . This article uses logical methods of analysis: analysis, synthesis, comparative analysis. The results of the study . This study shows how the cybernetic-systemic methodology holistically analyzing society and assuming its programming “from top to bottom” leads to technocratic governance of society and the Internet. It also shows how the phenomenological approach aimed at perceiving the personal meanings of each citizen becomes the basis of deliberative democracy and online deliberative discussions. Discussion and conclusions . The paper arrives at the following conclusions. Serious risks produced by the use of the cybernetic-systemic principles in governing the Internet sphere are shown: programming the personality consciousness, emasculating the senses experienced by it, and regulating the entire social life. In contrast with the cybernetic approach, the advantages of the phenomenological approach are analytically shown, because it perceives the personal meanings of each individual and leads to their revealing in the Internet sphere, which creates the foundation for maintaining a democratic regime.