THE ESSENCE AND CORE PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC GOVERNANCE: HISTORICAL FORMATION, CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS, AND EVOLUTION IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . Public administration is formed as a complex and dynamic system that reflects the evolution of social relations and the changing role of the state in development processes. Today, public administration increasingly moves beyond administrative control, transforming into a space of partnership, participation, and openness. The digitalization of administrative processes, the emergence of e-government, and the concept of open government have reshaped the nature of public authority.
M e t h o d s . The study employs a set of general scientific and special methods that ensured a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of public administration. The historical-genetic method was used to identify the sequence of development of administrative models. The comparative method enabled the examination of classical and modern theories. The system analysis method made it possible to determine the relationship between the principles of public administration and digital transformation processes. Content analysis of academic publications and international documents allowed for the generalization of trends in contemporary governance and the identification of directions for its transformation.
R e s u l t s . The essence of public administration is clarified as a multidimensional category that integrates normative-administrative, valueoriented, and communicative dimensions and reflects the changing role of the state in the context of digital transformation. The basic principles of public administration were systematized, and the features of their transformation under the influence of digital technologies were identified. The stages of development of public administration models were summarized. Contemporary paradigms such as Digital Era Governance, Public Value Management, and Collaborative Governance were analyzed. It was substantiated that digitalization functions as an integrative factor that connects organizational modernization, a value-based approach, and network interaction, creating preconditions for the transition to a digital-social model of public administration.
C o n c l u s i o n s . The study demonstrates that the evolution of public administration is moving from administrative-hierarchical systems toward integrated, open, and value-oriented models of governance. Digitalization not only modernizes tools and procedures but also reshapes governance orientations, shifting the focus toward transparency, participation, and the creation of public value. The results may serve as a methodological basis for further research on digital governance.