Cognitive wars in the conditions of digital transformation of society and the state

Abstract

In the conditions of cardinal digital transformations of the economy, the socio-cultural environment, the processes of making and implementing political and administrative decisions, a number of new, previously unseen challenges and risks arise that significantly affect a person’s cognitive abilities, change his way of thinking and habitual decision-making models. The study of such changes becomes particularly relevant in the case of an analysis of tools, technologies and strategies for conducting information, psychological, mental, cognitive wars that fully utilize the arsenal provided by the digital revolution. The main goal of this study is to analyze the distinctive features of cognitive wars (as the youngest kind of non-kinetic wars), to identify their potential and goals from the point of view of destabilizing public consciousness, as well as to determine what place communicative effectiveness can take in this analysis. The author paid special attention to the analysis of instability and uncertainty of the socio-political environment as the main source of psychoemotional uncertainty of citizens and its destructive consequences. Conclusions are drawn about the necessary methodological foundations for analyzing the mechanisms of conducting cognitive wars and developing effective preventive strategies.