National Identity: Ukrainian Discourse

Abstract

It was examined the formation of national identity and its aggravation under the changes which influence the temporality of transitive processes both in the world and Ukraine. It reveals the interpretation of the essence of identity and understanding of the process of its development in the context of modern political science. Identity is regarded to be one of the five human existential needs (along with the need to establish contacts, develop an outlook, and devotion). The genesis of the main concepts that reveal the meaning of national identity, represents also its features and typology. In addition, it has been found that personal identity is related to interaction with social identity. The researchers distinguish in the system of identities an ethnic identity, which possesses the following characteristics: common origin, ethnonym (self-name), language, culture, religion, historical memory, etc. The author explains the concepts of «identity» and «system of identities», showing that they are characterized by changes in the political and socio-economic context, and therefore they possess temporary and situational features. The specificity of national identity is that it develops over a long historical time and can change significantly. National, as well as ethnic identity, does not disappear completely from the consciousness under the influence of external processes, demonstrating its ability to adjust. Thus, national identity, like other types of identity, is in the process of constant change, adaptation, and construction. To study the given issue the methods of comparative, critical analysis, and elements of inductive approach were used. The attention was focused on destroying social and national identity by technologies of chaos. It is mentioned that cultural diversity in Ukraine is a favorable factor for manipulations and speculations.