Citizen Empowerment in the Digital Era: Redefining Administrative Legitimacy and Power Dynamics

Dana‐Marie Ramjit

Public Administration & Development, 2025, vol. 45, issue 3, 313-316

Abstract: In an era defined by unmatched digital connectivity and vibrant global activism, traditional hegemonic power structures are increasingly subject to scrutiny and transformation. This article examines how technological innovations, dynamic social movements, and emergent forms of global citizenship are reshaping public administration. These converging forces enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, while simultaneously challenging conventional bureaucratic models and established notions of administrative legitimacy. Social movements, empowered by digital platforms, are not only contesting top‐down governance but also fostering new avenues for collective action and civic engagement. As these processes unfold, traditional administrative systems are being reimagined to accommodate the demands of a digitally empowered citizenry, creating a governance landscape that is more decentralized and responsive. This commentary highlights the complex interchange between digital governance, social mobilization, and global identity formation, and explores their implications for public policy and institutional accountability. It underlines both the potential of these forces and the risks they pose, such as exacerbating existing inequalities and power imbalances. Ultimately, the article calls for a comprehensive rethinking of public administration that adopts the benefits of this digital revolution while ensuring equity, transparency, and responsiveness in a rapidly interconnected world.

Date: 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.70002

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:padxxx:v:45:y:2025:i:3:p:313-316

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