Research Article

Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance

Volume: 9 Number: 1 March 16, 2026
TR EN

Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance

Abstract

This article frames the integration of AI-assisted decision-making systems into public administration not merely as technological advancement, but as a paradigmatic shift that reconfigures core principles of democratic legitimacy, political representation, and citizenship. It interprets the rising influence of algorithmic governance as indicative of a structural legitimacy crisis that exceeds the explanatory scope of classical theories of representation. To analyze this transformation, the study introduces two original conceptual contributions: Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality. Cybercratic representation refers to the delegation of decision-making authority to algorithmic systems that are unelected and unaccountable, detached from foundational democratic mechanisms such as elections, consent, and public oversight. Algorationality denotes the displacement of ethical, political, and social considerations in favor of a purely technical rationality governed by quantifiable, data-driven logic. Drawing on international case studies, the article demonstrates how algorithmic governance undermines democratic norms and fosters the emergence of a technocratic regime devoid of representational legitimacy and accountability. By addressing the normative implications of these developments, the study contributes to the conceptual understanding of the legitimacy crisis in digital public administration and calls for a fundamental rethinking of democratic accountability in the context of the algorithmic state.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received for the conduct of this research.

Ethical Statement

This paper complies with Research and Publication Ethics, has no conflict of interest to declare, and has received no financial support. The article has been checked for spelling and plagiarism/similarity. The article was evaluated by "at least two external referees" and "double blinding" method. For the scale used in the article, it is declared by the authors that permission was obtained from the original owner of the scale. The author(s) sent a signed "Copyright Transfer Form" to the journal. There is no need to obtain ethical permission for the current study as per the legislation. The "Declaration Form Regarding No Ethics Permission Required" was sent to the journal by the authors on this subject. The author contributed to all sections and stages of the study alone.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Administration, Management Sociology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 16, 2026

Submission Date

October 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Demirci, M. R. (2026). Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.33712/mana.1805560
AMA
1.Demirci MR. Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi. 2026;9(1). doi:10.33712/mana.1805560
Chicago
Demirci, Muhammed Ramazan. 2026. “Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance”. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.33712/mana.1805560.
EndNote
Demirci MR (March 1, 2026) Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi 9 1
IEEE
[1]M. R. Demirci, “Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance”, Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 1, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.33712/mana.1805560.
ISNAD
Demirci, Muhammed Ramazan. “Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance”. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi 9/1 (March 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.33712/mana.1805560.
JAMA
1.Demirci MR. Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi. 2026;9. doi:10.33712/mana.1805560.
MLA
Demirci, Muhammed Ramazan. “Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance”. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 1, Mar. 2026, doi:10.33712/mana.1805560.
Vancouver
1.Muhammed Ramazan Demirci. Cybercratic Representation and Algorationality: Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy in the Age of Algorithmic Governance. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi. 2026 Mar. 1;9(1). doi:10.33712/mana.1805560

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