Possibilities of application of digital technologies to direct democracy mechanisms in modern Russia

The paper is devoted to the issue of introducing digital technologies into the democratic process. In modern science, there is a discussion of the possibilities of using digital technologies within the framework of the mechanisms of direct and representative democracy, arguments are given both in favor of expanding the format of direct civil-political participation and preserving representative forms of expression of will. Possible risks of introducing digital technologies into the electoral process and ways to prevent them are considered. As a result, conclusions are drawn about the dual role of digital mechanisms of popular will, which depend on the degree of democratization of the political regime in a particular country, and can serve both the purposes of consolidating social groups and achieving political consensus, and manipulating mass consciousness and behavior (directive or proactive format of political participation).