Theoretical Constructs of Nation Formation in the Realm of the Creation of Ukrainian Identity at the Turn of the 19th – 20th Centuries

Abstract

Geopolitical vectors of transformational dynamics in the 19th – at the early 20th centuries have been intersected on Ukrainian lands quite often. It has conditioned the necessity of comprehension of both favorable and inhibitory factors of development in the field of self-identification. The nationally conscious elite of Ukrainianhood has used every opportunity to represent the people’s desire for self-determination. The fact that the Ukrainian issue has appeared repeatedly before the politicians of Europe and the world, has created certain obstacles for the implementation of assimilation plans of anti-Ukrainian forces and encouraged Ukrainians not so much to revive the nation as to rebuild it in qualitatively new terms and practices. The article is dedicated to the analysis of theoretical constructs of nation-creation in the context of the formation of the foundations of Ukrainian identity at the turn of the 19th – 20th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the definition of fundamental concepts – «nation», «conciliarism», «Ukrainian socio-political thought», «national revival», «Ukrainian project», «national ideal», etc. The comprehension of the reflections arisen at various stages of the search for unifying ideas and social consensus is submitted in the light of the relationship between potential expectations and historical realities. Obviously, it has been impossible to achieve it in the current conditions, but the consolidation context with the representation of the nation idea, popular in the 19th century and inherent in theoretical models, is the evidence of the intellectual maturity of local elites and their awareness of the potential for solidarity. The national idea in its rudimentary form has been quite abstract and against the background of exacerbation of social contradictions is not perceived as a priority at the mass level. However, its search at the turn of the 19th – early 20th centuries has become not only a phenomenon of political life, but also an integral part of socio-political and intellectual thought. Today, given the deepening polarization of Ukrainian society and the transformation of the inherent conflict into an armed stage, this search acquires the significance of ideological heritage, which should be understood comprehensively on the new principles proposed by modern historiography.