PUBLIC ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPARENCY OF THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES OF THE SVERDLOVSK REGION

Abstract

Purpose. To identify and analyze public estimates by Ekaterinburg residents of the executive authorities transparency. Methods. Pilot research through questionnaire, analysis of the sociological information obtained. Subject. Estimates by the residents of the city of Ekaterinburg of the complete, reliable, sufficient, understandable information on their activities and results provided by executive authorities. Scientific novelty. Justification on the basis of empirical information of opportunities and importance of using the latest generation of Internet resources to ensure the transparency of administration, perceived as government availability, accountability of their activities to the population and the level of involvement in administration activity as its actor. Results. Features of transparent management specific for the Russian Federation are revealed: lack of content in the Internet sources of public authorities; “digital divide” of the RF entities; resistance to welcome changes resulting in people’s reluctance to use the new online resources to communicate with the authorities. The authorities’ transparency and work to inform the population are assessed by the residents as “satisfactory”, the feedback on issues of people’s concern are considered unproductive by the majority of respondents. Only a third of residents believe that they have the opportunity to influence the decisions made by the authorities. Information messages are communicated through the standard government channels (television, print media, radio), while the new channels highly popular with the modern audience (social networks, blogs, electronic media) are hardly employed. Data on satisfaction with the experience of interaction with the authorities, the use of innovative technologies and the most sought-after way of providing residents with public services is featured.