SOCIOCENTRISM AS A METHODOLOGY FOR RENEWING THE DOCTRINE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

Abstract

The article considers sociocentrism as a conceptual and methodological framework for updating the modern doctrine of administrative law. Sociocentrism, which transforms the traditional human-centric approach, focuses on meeting the collective needs of society and communities. Four key components of the sociocentric methodology are proposed: the primacy of the public interest, service orientation, transparency and collective responsibility. Arguments are made in favor of integrating these principles into the system of rulemaking, administrative regulation procedures and public administration practice. The analysis includes a comparison with classical doctrines, identification of gaps in the existing paradigm and recommendations for further codification of sociocentric principles in profile laws and by-laws. The concept of sociocentrism in administrative law appears as a response to the challenges of modern state-building, in which the individual and the community acquire equal importance in public governance processes. The scientific school of administrative law, founded at the beginning of the 20th century, emphasized the “human-centric” paradigm, in which the main subject of legal regulation is the individual as the bearer of rights and freedoms. Sociocentrism expands this vision, proclaiming that the effectiveness and legitimacy of public decisions are measured not only by individual benefit, but primarily by the public good and the trust of the community. The article substantiates the theoretical and methodological foundation of sociocentrism, which combines classical ideas of the public good (from Plato’s utopias to the conclusions of J. W. Mill) with modern doctrines of the New Public Service and New Public Governance. It is shown how imperative and dispositive methods of administrative law can be integrated into a single management and service model that guarantees citizens not only compliance with formal procedures, but also the realization of general public interests. Special attention is paid to the four “cores” of the sociocentric methodology: the primacy of the public interest, the administration as a producer of public value, transparency as an instrument of solidarity, and the collective responsibility of authorities for the consequences of their decisions. Based on the analysis of European practices (Estonia, Germany, France), key gaps in the existing doctrine are identified, which are manifested in excessive discretion of executive authorities, procedural uncertainty, regulatory fragmentation, and technical barriers to digitalization. The article proposes practical mechanisms for implementing sociocentrism in lawmaking: codification of administrative procedures with a clear regulation of SLA standards, creation of an interdepartmental digital platform “SocioGov” for monitoring public needs, and development of interdisciplinary educational initiatives to form a new generation of public managers. The introduction of the sociocentrism methodology will contribute to the consolidation of society, improving the quality and legitimacy of public administration, as well as strengthening citizens' trust in state institutions. As a result, sociocentrism as a methodological basis for updating the doctrine of administrative law opens up space for further research in the field of public administration and creates the prerequisites for a true service democracy.