PHILOSOPHY OF MANAGEMENT AS A METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF MODERN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SCIENCE
Abstract
The article substantiates the view that the philosophy of governance serves as a fundamental methodological basis of contemporary public administration science amid profound transformations of the state and society. It demonstrates that the digitalization of governance, networked forms of communication, the growing autonomy of local communities, and rising ethical demands for decision-making underscore the need for conceptual foundations capable of ensuring the integrity and humanistic orientation of administrative action. The philosophy of governance is interpreted as a metatheoretical level that integrates ontological understandings of the nature of authority, epistemological principles of generating knowledge about public policy, and axiological dimensions of value-based justification of administrative decisions. Based on an analysis of global and Ukrainian scholarship, the article outlines the contributions of classical American theorists (J. Dewey, Ch. Barnard, D. Waldo) and modern European researchers (E. Ongaro, B. Rothstein, M. Bevir), who developed distinct approaches to understanding the philosophical dimension of governance. It also synthesizes the work of Ukrainian scholars who conceptualize public administration as a form of spiritual and ethical activity grounded in service, partnership, trust, and public value. The role of philosophy in shaping the normative foundations of European good governance, particularly through OECD/SIGMA principles, is emphasized. Special attention is given to the philosophical interpretation of digitalization, which requires ethical guidelines for the use of algorithms, data, and artificial intelligence. The study highlights that the philosophy of governance performs integrative, critical, and normative functions, ensuring coherence between scientific theories, administrative technologies, and democratic practices.
Ultimately, the philosophy of governance is presented as an essential instrument for cultivating an administrative culture that unites rationality, morality, and public good. It provides strategic vision for institutional development, enhances governance practices, and supports the consolidation of a democratic, resilient, and citizen-oriented model of public administration.
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