Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
13TH INTERNATIONAL ARTEMIS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CONGRESS, Bucuresti, Romanya, 28 - 30 Ağustos 2025, ss.615-626, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
Smart governance refers to a more effective, efficient, and transparent approach to governance through
the integration of digital technologies and AI-based systems into public administration processes.
However, this transformation also presents various legal and political challenges. First and foremost,
data privacy and personal data protection are among the most fundamental legal issues in smart
governance mechanisms. The use of big data analytics in public administration processes necessitates
the processing of information about individuals' private lives, necessitating various legal regulations at
the national and international levels. Legislation such as the European Union's General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR), in particular, is among the legal frameworks that must be considered in smart
governance applications. Furthermore, the accountability, transparency, and impartiality of
algorithmic decision-making processes constitute a critical dimension not only in terms of legal but
also political legitimacy. The role of AI-enabled systems in the delivery of public services directly
impacts citizens' political participation, their trust in the state, and the perception of the legitimacy of
the government, in accordance with the principles of democratic governance. However, existing legal
systems may fall short in preventing algorithmic biases and determining legal liability for AI-based
decisions. Furthermore, the concept of cybersecurity is gaining increasing importance due to the risks
posed by smart governance practices to national security. Cyber threats posed by the digital
infrastructures of public institutions are redefining the state's understanding of sovereignty and
political security strategies. In this context, states need to revise their cybersecurity laws and
strengthen international cooperation to protect data sovereignty. Therefore, the need for legal updating
emerges as a crucial issue due to the dynamic nature of smart governance processes. Existing legal
frameworks struggle to adapt to rapidly evolving digital technologies, increasing the need for new
regulatory mechanisms in public administration. Similarly, the digitalization process necessitates
rethinking the legitimacy, representation, and democratic participation mechanisms of political
systems. Consequently, smart governance presents not only opportunities but also various legal and
political challenges. Therefore, comprehensive regulations in areas such as data protection,
accountability, cybersecurity, political legitimacy, and legal reform are necessary to secure digitalized
public administration processes. This study examines the legal and political dimensions of smart governance practices and discusses the key challenges faced in terms of data privacy, accountability,
cybersecurity, and legal regulations.
Keywords: Smart Governance, Digital Public Administration, Legal Regulations, Political
Legitimacy, Accountability. Political Participation.