The semantics of simulation in Ukrainian public administration: examining «pseudo-terms»

This article investigates terminological issues in contemporary public administration in Ukraine, presenting them as a significant impediment to effective reforms and European integration. These problems stem from a «dual phenomenon»: on one hand, new, often «simulative» terms are actively introduced but lack real institutional substance. On the other hand, the system continues to operate with archaisms that carry outdated, often negative connotations, harming both administrative effectiveness and public perception. The article provides a detailed analysis of several examples of such «unreal» terms (those with insufficient real content), including «Public Expertise,» «State in a Smartphone,» and «Service State.» It demonstrates how these concepts function more as «false visualizations» or «designators without real content,» creating an illusion of progress and modernization without actual deep systemic changes. In parallel, the article addresses the unsuitability of archaic terms like «official» and «governor.» These words are associated with the imperial colonial past, carrying undertones of authoritarianism, bureaucracy, and detachment from citizens. Their use contradicts Ukraine’s current policies of decommunization and decolonization, which are crucial for forming its own sovereign consciousness and a service-oriented image of public administration. The article also positively highlights the efforts of the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service (NACS) in the deconstruction of the term «official.» Furthermore, the article analyzes the term «foreign countries,» which, despite being widely used, is logically redundant and conditional. It shows that its use can create terminological confusion and may be a legacy of Soviet thinking. In conclusion, the article notes that such terminological mixing not only complicates the formation of public trust in public authorities and creates informational noise but also poses a serious obstacle to adequately assessing the effectiveness of public policy and harmonizing Ukrainian public administration with European standards.