THE CONCEPT OF THE “DIGITAL STATE” IN MODERN THEORY OF STATE AND LAW: FROM E-GOVERNANCE TO DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY

Abstract

This article explores the evolution of the concept of the “digital state” as a new theoretical and legal category that is actively developing under the influence of digital transformation, globalization, and pressing challenges related to security and sovereignty in the digital environment.Digitalization of public administration is considered as a systemic and multidimensional process that not only transforms the interaction between the state and citizens but also imposes new requirements on legal regulation, the structural organization of state power, and the protection of digital human rights.Particular attention is given to the correlation between the concepts of “e-governance” and the “digital state,” as well as their theoretical interpretation within the framework of modern theory of state and law. The author analyzes the main directions of the transformation of state functions in the digital age, emphasizing that the digital state is not limited to the implementation of information technologies but requires a comprehensive update of public policies, legal doctrines, and the institutional design of the state.The concept of digital sovereignty is separately examined as a new form of state self- determination in the context of information-technological globalization. The study underlines that, amid Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the issues of digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, protection of information infrastructure, and the independence of the digital space have become of paramount importance. In this context, the digital state appears not only as an instrument of public governance modernization but also as a key factor in strengthening national security.The article also analyzes the influence of Ukraine’s European integration course on the development of digital statehood. It is shown that the adaptation of digital legislation to EU standards in the fields of personal data protection, digital identity, interoperability of public registries, and access to digital services is a crucial element in reinforcing the legal foundation of digital transformation in Ukraine.In conclusion, the author argues that the concept of a digital state has the potential not only for technological modernization but also for the renewal of the fundamental theoretical foundations of state and law, particularly in aspects related to state sovereignty, public authority, democratic participation, and human rights. The study outlines the need for a systemic legal framework for digital processes, the development of national digital infrastructure, the strengthening of institutions of digital trust, and the cultivation of digital legal awareness.