Ethnic Origin in the Globalization Epoch

Author

Rafalskyi Oleh

a correspon­ding member of the NAS of Ukraine, a Doctor of History, a professor, a director of the I. Kuras Institute for Political and Ethno­National Studies of the NAS of Ukraine

Ethnic Origin in the Globalization Epoch

Abstract

Most clearly, globalization manifests its principles in the economic sphere and in the sphere of consumption, as it integrates national economies on the basis of the global division of labor. Moreover, globalization homogenizes consumer benchmarks, imposes consumer models and statuses on the mass consciousness. Generally, it accelerates the processes of integration and interdependence. Therefore the world economy and the sphere of consumption acquire a systemic integrity.

A modern globalized society is also characterized by a gradual erosion of the political sphere. On the one hand, it is determined with the excessive indifference of citizens to political processes and the simulation of their choice, which is caused by the symbiosis of liberal democratic and bureaucratic rule, and on the other hand this is because of the fact that political institutions have lost their primary role. Therefore, in a political sense, our globalized society becomes more and more amorphous and fragmented.

Ethnic origin is a reflection of how a person realizes own ethnic identity, shares a common history and the affinity of common ideas and behavior. Ethnic identity appeals to family and territorial ties, affects collective memory and a sense of social consciousness. Therefore, it is logically that ethnicity creates the cumulative effect necessary for the formation of solidarity within the nation.

The ethnic component becomes a priority both when political mechanisms are discredited, and institutions of power fail to meet the cultural needs of citizens. Ethnicity is the most effective tool for social and political mobilization in times of crisis and in a transitional state of society. However, in the face of globalization, ethnicity deals with a much stronger opponent than the imperfection of a separate political system; therefore, there is a need for ideological and philosophical support for ethnicity in its struggle against the leveling, destructive and barbarian effects of globalization.

Keywords

ethnic identity, primordialism, globalization, megatrends of modern social development, national consolidation, national idea.

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