Algorithmic Governance and Administrative Legitimacy: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Policy Pathways in Digital Societies

Abstract

The rapid expansion of algorithmic systems in public administration has fundamentally reshaped contemporary governance structures. From automated decision-making in welfare allocation to predictive analytics in policing and education, algorithmic governance has introduced new forms of efficiency while simultaneously raising critical concerns regarding legitimacy, accountability, and institutional trust. This study examines how algorithmic governance reconfigures the foundations of administrative legitimacy in digital societies. Rather than treating algorithmic systems as purely technical tools, this paper conceptualizes them as socio-technical infrastructures embedded within institutional and normative contexts. It identifies three core mechanisms through which algorithmic governance operates, namely datafication, platformization, and algorithmic regulation. These mechanisms not only transform how decisions are made but also reshape authority distribution, procedural transparency, and citizen engagement. Building on this framework, the paper analyzes the key challenges that emerge in algorithmic governance, including opacity, accountability gaps, and asymmetries in institutional capacity. It argues that these challenges cannot be resolved through technical fixes alone but require context-sensitive governance strategies that integrate legal, organizational, and ethical considerations. Finally, the study proposes a set of policy pathways aimed at strengthening administrative legitimacy in digital societies. These pathways emphasize auditability, institutional capacity building, and the alignment of algorithmic systems with democratic values. By linking mechanisms, challenges, and policy responses, this paper contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of governance transformation in the algorithmic era.