Legal content and etymology of the concept «national idea»

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to determine the legal content of the concept of «national idea», to reveal approaches to its implementation in Ukrainian state-legal thought and influence on modern state-building processes. Methods. The methodological basis of the research was a set of theoretical, general scientific and specifically scientific methods, as well as the principles of objectivity and historicism. The key was the dialectical approach and the comparativist method, which made it possible to reveal the value principles and dynamics of the development of the concept of «national idea». Results. It was established that in the Ukrainian tradition of state-building and state-legal thought of the 20th century. the concept of the national idea is reflected quite thoroughly. At the same time, in the conditions of independence, this concept is the object of social or political discussions and has not received a clear legal expression. In Ukrainian legal opinion, in addition to the concept of «national idea», the concepts of «national identity», «ethnic identity», and «religious identity» are used. The connection between the national idea and the country's legal system is demonstrated, because the legal ideology of the country is a component of the national ideology, and the legal awareness and legal culture of the population are a component of the national consciousness. Originality. It was established that the concept of the national idea should be considered at three levels: 1) everyday or conscious-cultural; 2) professional or ideological-legal; 3) theoretical. The national idea itself is a set of value orientations that determine the general vector of the state's development. Realization of the national idea is possible only if one takes into account one's own experience of state formation and the system of democratic values. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in further theoretical-legal and historical-legal studies, preparation of special courses.