Sixty years after the publication of his classic book, The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere (1962), Jrgen Habermas, a key figure in modern political philosophy, returns to the subject. Continuing to emphasize the central role of the public sphere for the political life of the West, Habermas traces the significant changes that it has undergone under the influence of digital media and social networks. In general, pessimistic about the new digital transformation and noting the degradation of publicity, the philosopher, however, analyzes positive trends, and also responds to multilateral criticism. Summarizing his works in the field of political theory and sociology, the author comes to the conclusion that Western regimes cannot seriously claim the self-name of “democracy” without the real involvement of citizens in the discussion of what concerns each member of society. Jrgen Habermas (p.) 1929) political philosopher, professor emeritus at the University of Frankfurt, one of the most significant representatives of the second generation of the Frankfurt School