STATE DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY: BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND CONTROL IN THE GLOBAL SPACE

Abstract

The paper explores the phenomenon of digital sovereignty as a new form of state power realization in the context of global digitalization. The author analyzes the transformation of the concept of sovereignty in the 21st century, focusing on the shifting balance between states and transnational digital corporations, which increasingly influence political processes and public communication. Various models of digital sovereignty implementation are examined – the European regulatory model, the Chinese authoritarian model, and the American geoeconomic model. Special attention is paid to the dilemma between digital control and digital democracy, the use of technologies for citizen participation in decision-making, and the threats posed by surveillance, censorship, and the use of artificial intelligence. The author argues that international law currently fails to provide effective regulation of the digital space, which generates significant challenges for global ethics, human rights, and interstate balance. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need to develop global standards of digital responsibility that would ensure a balance between sovereignty, freedoms, and technological progress.