Types and Forms of Interaction Between Public Authorities and the Public

The relevance of this study stems from the continuing development of interaction between public authorities and civil society in the context of democratic governance. Examining the types and forms of such interaction is essential for improving state–society communication, enhancing public participation, and ensuring greater involvement of citizens in public decision-making processes. The purpose of this article is to identify and analyse the principal types of interaction between public authorities and the public and, drawing upon the findings of previous scholarly research, to determine the principal forms through which such interaction is implemented. The methodological framework of the study combines general scientific and specialised research methods. The systems approach is employed to conceptualise interaction between public authorities and the public as an integrated system comprising interconnected actors, mechanisms, and forms of participation characterised by specific features. This approach facilitates the systematisation and classification of the principal types of such interaction. The comparative method is used to examine and compare scholarly approaches to the classification of interaction forms and forms of public participation. The structural-functional method is applied to identify and substantiate the authors’ approach to the forms of interaction between public authorities and the public. The formal-legal method is used to analyse the legal and regulatory framework governing such interaction. The generalisation method is employed to synthesise the findings, formulate the principal conclusions, and identify the key types and characteristics of interaction between public authorities and the public. The findings of the study contribute to enhancing public awareness of the legal mechanisms through which citizens may participate in the activities of public authorities and thereby contribute to the development of the state. In the context of the rapid development of information and communication technologies and the continuing instability affecting Ukraine, further research into this subject is particularly relevant. Such research may contribute to improving public awareness of the available mechanisms of interaction with public authorities and, consequently, to strengthening democratic governance and participatory principles in Ukraine.