Positive-functional potential of public organizations in the emerging network society (a conflictological aspect)

The article shows that in the context of the formation of a digitalnetwork society, the phenomenon of polysubject is growing, which leads to the transition to the model of public administration through communities based on the management dilemma “leadership-acceptance”, which limits the possibilities of the hierarchical-bureaucratic rule and turns out to be more effective. All these reasons are due to qualitative changes in the system of civil society: the sharply increasing emancipation of the individual from the state, the reduction of the space of direct command influence of the latter, the vigorous development and complication of horizontal social ties and the plexus of diverse civil institutions and movements into a holistic network. For public policy, the task of optimizing the interaction of the authorities and representatives of civil associations, strengthened by digital network capabilities that allow the formation of centers of social force through the consolidation of interest groups and public opinion, becomes important. The search for "consent zones," based on building and creating a balance of public interests, calls for conflictual diagnostic tools and the resolution of problematic points of interaction. A satisfactory and comprehensive solution to the problem requires a wide range of conflict actions - from negotiation and mediation, legislative initiatives and public hearings, expertise and monitoring, to lawsuits and proceedings, and sometimes acts of civil disobedience. All these actions require a conflictological competence, which accustoms representatives of the public sector to greater professionalism, culture of interaction with state bodies, providing a comprehensive diagnosis of the conflict situation and a wide range of technologies to influence its solution, and state representatives focus on recognizing alternative positions, respectful dialogue with the public and developing an appropriate legal framework for a long partnership with the nonprofit sector. These trends in the style of public policy have been demonstrated on the strategy of behavior of the women's public organization “Petersburg Egida” in solving the conflict situation related to non-payment of maternity funds for pregnant women, as well as for the care of young children.