Objective: This article examines the theoretical foundations and practical implications of social networks in the institutional landscape of public administration, law enforcement, and judicial power. It employs the paradigm of netocracy institutionalism to assess the multifaceted influence of social networks and the need for new concepts to understand the complexities of today's communication society.
Methods: The research employs a systematic approach, drawing from theories like netocracy, e-government, legal field theory, and concepts related to internet communications and the information society. It utilizes structural-functional, institutional, and interdisciplinary approaches to analyze the role of social networks in public policy and modern political communication.
Results: Social networks play a pivotal role in modern public administration, with an increasing reliance on information and communication technologies. The notion of e-government encompasses activities based on these technologies, including providing services, information exchange, public procurement, and more. A broader view of e-government focuses on transforming internal and external interactions for optimizing management and enhancing public services, thus promoting electronic democracy. The concept of netocratic public management emphasizes transparency, cooperation, and public involvement in decision-making, aligning with the principles of the information society. Netocracy, represented by a technologically adept elite, influences and manipulates public consciousness and behavior through advanced communication abilities in the digital realm.
Conclusions: The study underscores the growing significance of social networks in modern governance, with netocracy emerging as a powerful and influential force in the digital age. It also highlights the need for new social structures and concepts to grasp the complexities of today's communication society. In this context, social networks have become indispensable tools for communication between governments and citizens, offering extensive opportunities for interaction and engagement.