E-democracy and trust in government: interrelation and mechanisms for strengthening the legitimacy of public authority in Ukraine under martial law
Abstract
The article examines the relationship between the development of e-democracy and citizens’ trust in public authorities in Ukraine under martial law. It is substantiated that when classical electoral procedures are suspended, citizens’ trust in public authorities becomes the key source of their legitimacy, while the tools of e-democracy serve as an effective mechanism for maintaining and restoring this trust. This study aims to substantiate a conceptual model and practical mechanisms for strengthening trust and the legitimacy of public authority through e-democracy tools. The study reveals the theoretical and conceptual foundations of e-democracy and trust in government and their interconnection. Using sociological data from the Razumkov Center, the study analyzes the dynamics of trust in government in 2021-2025; it identifies the 2022 “rally-round-the-flag” effect, followed by a natural downward trend and growing public demand to renew the political system. It is established that trust in local-level institutions steadily exceeds trust in nationwide representative institutions. The paper systematizes Ukraine’s e-democracy sectors and tools (e-governance, e-parliament, e-justice, e-petitions, participatory budgeting, open data, the ProZorro system) and provides statistics on their use. The paper proposes a conceptual model of the influence of e-democracy on trust as a “virtuous cycle”, in which transparency, openness, participation, accountability, and public dialogue nourish citizens’ trust, which is converted into the legitimacy of public authority. The paper defines priority directions for the model’s practical application, primarily at the local level, where participation’s effect is most tangible. Prospects for further research are outlined. Keywords: e-democracy, trust in government, legitimacy, public authority, martial law, e-governance, civic participation, transparency.