Shaping Russian Identity. The Role of Historical Knowledge

Abstract

The article is devoted to the vital problem of formation of the Russian civic identity in the conditions of the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional region of the North Caucasus. The Russian identity is viewed as a complicated multilevel social phenomenon that combines several identities namely the ethnic identity, the confessional identity, and the civic identity. Using the data of social surveys the author shows compatibility of ethnic and civic identity in the poly-ethnic society. One of the tools for achieving a balance of identities is historical knowledge. Due to its being the most important form of human self-consciousness, and at the same time being the form of collective memory, history is the key mechanism of identification processes at different stages of personal and social development. Historical knowledge actualized in the institutes of higher education as part of the study of national history lays the foundations of patriotism and civic consciousness. It also forms a tolerant perception of inter-cultural diversity of society in the socio-historical aspect as well as in the ethnic and confessional aspects. The author uses concrete examples to demonstrate the most effective technologies in building the Russian identity in the context of the Russian History Course for the higher educational establishments. The article characterizes the cognitive-emotional basis of the identification process. It emphasizes the importance of forming a positive image of modern Russia as the common home of all peoples who have made a significant contribution to the development of its material and spiritual culture. The author notes that the study of the centuries-old experience of interaction between the peoples of Russia contributes to the strengthening of national consent and spiritual community of Russia’s ethnic groups. Based on the conducted research the author arrives at the conclusion that in the student environment of North Ossetia there are sufficient prerequisites and conditions for shaping an all-Russian civic identity.