The political ecosystem of the digital age: integration of network and ecosystem approaches

The subject of the study is the influence of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the formation and development of the political ecosystem of society. The article analyzes and compares two key approaches – network and ecosystem, revealing different aspects of the digital transformation of political processes. Particular attention is paid to the need to integrate these approaches for a deeper and more comprehensive analysis of the political ecosystem in the context of digitalization. The author proposes a theoretical model combining network and ecosystem concepts, which allows taking into account both the dynamics of horizontal interactions and the stability of the system. The research covers issues of civic identity, decentralization of power, and self-organization, demonstrating how digital platforms and patriotic content contribute to strengthening social cohesion and transforming the political environment. The work offers the author's definition of the political ecosystem of society, reflecting the complexity and multidimensionality of social processes in the era of digitalization. The research methodology is based on a comparative analysis of network and ecosystem approaches in order to integrate them to create a comprehensive model of the political ecosystem. The analysis of theoretical concepts presented in the works of leading researchers is used, as well as conceptual modeling aimed at forming the author's model of the political ecosystem of society. The novelty of the research lies in the development and substantiation of an integrated model of the political ecosystem, which combines the principles of network and ecosystem approaches. The main conclusions of the study are the provisions that information and communication technologies (ICT) play a key role in the formation of horizontal political structures, ensuring the decentralization of power and self-organization of civil society. A special contribution of the author to the research of the topic is the formulation of the author's definition of a political ecosystem as a dynamic system where information flows and inter-network interactions occupy a central place. An important result of the research is the identification of factors that ensure the stability and adaptability of the political system in the context of digitalization. The practical significance of the work is shown in the possibility of using the developed model to analyze modern political processes, predict their development and form strategies for digital interaction between government institutions and society.

political ecosystem, information and communication technologies, network approach, ecosystem approach, digital transformation, civic identity, decentralization, horizontal interactions, sustainability, integrated approach