THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN ENSURING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF UKRAINE: THEORETICAL AND LEGAL ASPECT

Introduction. The functioning of public institutions and their actual legalization is carried out only thanks to the presence of a legal basis that outlines the position of the latter. Thanks to this, their work is possible within the framework of a single recognized coordinate system, in which each such representative takes his place and performs a certain role. In other words, the norms objectified in the relevant legal acts determine the order, directions of influence, forms, methods, methods of regulation and limits of discretionary behavior in relation to the rest of the participants in social relations. Of course, this also applies to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Defense), which is endowed with the status of an independent unit with the corresponding competent block and the rest of the elements of administrative and legal status. On the basis of, thanks to and in the manner specified by the norms, influence is exerted in subordinate spheres, which is regarded as state administration. Purpose. The purpose of the study is to assess the role of public administration in ensuring the functioning of the Ministry of Defense at the current stage. The set goal makes it necessary to perform the following tasks: 1) to carry out a general characterization of “public administration” as an independent category; 2) reveal the specifics of the management activity of the analyzed central body of executive power; 3) provide evidence of the manifestations of public administration in the work of the Ministry of Defense. Materials and methods. The research materials are: 1) normative and legal support and administrative acts that are important for the functioning of the Ministry of Defense; 2) the works of domestic scientists, dedicated to various aspects of public administration and the activity of the researched central body of executive power. The following scientific methods were used during the research: logical-semantic method (for formulating the concept of “public administration”); epistemological (definition of the essence of public administration, as well as an assessment of its role from the point of view of the functioning of the Ministry of Defense); system analysis (outline and characterization of the legal basis for the implementation of state regulation in the implementation of the ministry); logical generalization of results (formulation of intermediate and general conclusions). Results. The scientific article notes and proves that a number of manifestations of managerial activity performed by the specified subject are not derived from the authentic content of legal norms, but their existence is an indisputable fact worthy of attention. A general characterization of “public administration” as an independent category was carried out. The issue of the specifics of the management activity of the analyzed central body of executive power is revealed. The facts of manifestations of public administration in the work of the Ministry of Defense are given in an argumentative manner. The obtained results are of great importance in the conditions of a rapid search for effective and efficient forms and methods of functioning of the Ministry of Defense. After all, the achievement of such intentions can be achieved at the expense of the potential of public administration tools. Discussion. In new scientific studies, it is proposed to focus attention on the types of public administration groups, followed by a meaningful characterization of the latter. Given the wide range of powers of the Ministry of Defense, such results may be important from the point of view of effective and efficient implementation of management forms.