DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TRANSFORMATION AS A FACTOR OF DELEGITIMIZATION OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The author examines the transformation of digital network communication as one of the factors declining trust in political institutions in the context of the global Сovid-19 pandemic. The theoretical basis of the study is based on the theory of communicative action of J.Habermas, theoretical models of deliberative democracy by J.Besset, and agonistic pluralism by Ch.Muff, as well as the theory of network society by M.Castells. The author suggests that restrictions on freedom of digital communication caused by the usage of artificial intelligence, censorship of social networks by digital technology giants and transfer of users’ communication to closed channels (messengers) reduce the potential of discussion and consensus as a prerequisite for representative democracy. The article analyzes the impact of artificial intelligence on freedom of communication, provides cases of users’ exclusion from communication networks and manipulation through the so-called "bot farms". Peculiarities of communication in new technological platforms (messengers) are determined. The author concludes that the transformation of networked digital communication transfers users to a digital "value-semantic capsule", which significantly limits the pluralism of opinions and reduces the potential for finding consensus (according to J.Habermas) or points of contact (according to Сh.Muff) as a prerequisite for legitimizing political institutions. The phenomenon of digital anomie, which leads to the intensification of digital protest movements around the world and contributes to the further weakening of institutional actors, is proposed for consideration. Against the background of such protests, national governments are implementing measures to control the digital environment. However, under current conditions of digital network communication development, such control can`t be completed for any subjects. In its turn, it calls to question related to their subjectivity in politics. Political institutions should find new mechanisms of legitimation, taking into account the above trends in the transformation of the communication field. The study of such mechanisms and the development of recommendations for national governments to restore citizens’ trust in democratic governance using the opportunities and challenges of digital network communication are the subject of further research by the author.