Public oversight in the digital era: The concept of multi-level asymmetric participation

The article examines the transformation of public control mechanisms in the digital age, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for interaction between society and the government brought about by digitization. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of digital public control in Russia, identify institutional and socio-technical barriers, and propose a model of multi-level asymmetric participation to enhance the effectiveness of control. The hypothesis regarding the influence of institutional formalism, digital inequality, and accountability deficits, which hinder genuine citizen engagement in digital platforms, is confirmed by empirical data. The prospects for the development of digital tools and the need to adapt institutional practices to new conditions are also discussed, as these may contribute to strengthening democracy and increasing trust between society and the government. The methodology includes systemic, formal-legal, comparative, content, sociological, and forecasting analyses using data from official portals, the "Active Citizen" platform, independent analytical centers (VTsIOM, ONF), and OECD studies. The results show low levels of digital participation, fragmentation of platforms, and issues of digital illiteracy and legal nihilism in the regions. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of a detailed algorithm for the phased implementation of a multi-level model of digital public control, covering a wide range of subjects—from ordinary citizens to government authorities—with clear distribution of responsibilities and the creation of effective communication channels to ensure interaction among all participants in the process. The theoretical novelty of the research is manifested in the comprehensive integration of technological and socio-political factors into a cohesive model of digital public control adapted to Russian conditions, which allows for a deeper understanding of the contemporary challenges and opportunities of digitization. Key results include the identification of institutional gaps and barriers, confirmation of digital inequality, formulation of a multi-level model of asymmetric participation, and recommendations for modernizing institutions and developing digital literacy, contributing significantly to the theoretical development and practical application of digital public control mechanisms.

multi-level control, public control, digital democracy, institutional design, civic participation, subjectivity, accountability, legal nihilism, digital literacy, asymmetric participation