Regional Markers Of Ethno-Political Processes In Ukraine Through The Prism Of National Consolidation: History And Present

Abstract

The regional features of Ukraine are considered through the prism of the ethnic composition of its population. Such factors and indicators of regional development as regional memory, political preferences, cultural features, etc. are considered particularly important. It is noted that regional memory is a type of social memory, which is a set of knowledge, assessments and ideas about the past, which have a significant impact on the development of a particular region. Self-awareness of citizens of a particular region as a part of it is realized through a number of factors. In particular: historical, political, ethnic, etc. It is also noted that another indicator that distinguishes the regions of Ukraine is political preferences and values. The latter are combined with regional specificity, which, in turn, lays down potential prerequisites for contradictions, illustrating the socio-cultural and political diversity of Ukrainian society. However, against the background of scientists' identification of a certain number of regions in Ukraine, it is emphasized that the mechanical division of the country into regions is rather unproductive and often stands in the way of the consolidation of a political nation. The historical and modern ethnopolitical processes in the regions that are the most ethnically diverse are highlighted and analyzed, since it is here that there is a potential for conflict, which can become an obstacle on the way to the consolidation of the country. In particular, these are the following regions of Ukraine: Transcarpathia, Bukovyna, Volyn, Galicia, Odesa, Kherson, Kharkiv, Donbas and Crimea. However, overcoming problems in the field of ethno-political relations requires the state to have an effective and efficient ethno-national policy of civil consolidation around common values and interests. The latter should take into account both the interests of the meaningful ethnic group and national minorities living on the territory of the country.  Especially, taking into account the processes related to the integration of Ukraine into the European community.