Nikovskaya L.I. Positive-functional potential of public organizations in the emerging network society (conflictological aspect). Socio-political studies. 2021. No. 4 (13). Pp. 35-49. http: ...

Abstract

The article shows that in the conditions of the formation of a digital-network society, the phenomenon of polysubjectivity is growing, which causes the transition to a model of public management through communities based on the managerial dilemma leadership-acceptance, which limits the possibilities of hierarchical-bureaucratic power and turns out to be more effective. All these reasons are due to qualitative transformations in the system of civil society: the sharply increasing emancipation of the individual from the state, the reduction of the space of direct command influence of the latter, the energetic development and complication of horizontal social ties and the interweaving of diverse civil institutions and movements into an integral network. For public policy, the task of optimizing the interaction of the authorities and representatives of civil associations, strengthened by digital-network capabilities that allow forming centers of social power through the consolidation of interest groups and public opinion, becomes important. The search for zones of agreement based on building and creating a balance of public interests calls for a conflictological tool for diagnosing and resolving problematic points of interaction. A satisfactory and full-scale solution to the problem requires a wide range of conflict actions-from negotiation efforts and mediation, legislative initiatives and public hearings, expertise and monitoring, to lawsuits and proceedings, and sometimes civil disobedience actions. All these actions require conflict-related competence, which teaches representatives of the public sector to greater professionalism, a culture of interaction with state bodies, providing tools for comprehensive diagnosis of a conflict situation and a wide range of technologies for influencing its solution, and orients state representatives to recognize alternative positions, to a respectful dialogue with the public and to develop an appropriate legal framework for a long-term partnership with the non-profit sector. These trends of changes in the style of public policy are demonstrated on the strategy of behavior of the women's public organization St. Petersburg Aegis in solving a conflict situation related to non-payment of maternity funds for pregnant women, as well as funds for caring for young children.