Ukrainian Identity: Ontological Foundations and Essential Features

Abstract

Turning to the phenomenon of Ukrainian identity as a multiverse of national values, as an objective ontological reality, an integral component of European civilization, becomes important in the institutionalisation of the spiritual and practical paradigm of our desire for freedom and independence. The Ukrainian national identity is based on the archetypal principles of human existence. This is a systemic and multi-level phenomenon that is embodied in a number of diverse criteria: biosphere, geological, anthropological, civilizational, ethnic, political, etc. In this context, the following dimensions of Ukrainian identity are decisive: anthropological code, territory (space of life), geopolitical determination, life activity, culture, and politics (state). Identity is based on the perception and understanding of one's own land, family, language, and culture as native and unified. The strengthening of the Ukrainian political nation should be included among the indisputable positive trends of social development. It is formed by the Ukrainian ethnic group and all national minorities in the country. Common to all is the citizenship of Ukraine - the state that they create for themselves to protect the rights and freedoms of each member of society, the national interests of the country in general. Congregationalism becomes the ontological foundation of the creation of a national state as a guarantor of the nation's self-preservation and the creation of the necessary political, economic, social, and other conditions for its development and establishment in the international community. Identity at the level of state policy means the ability of state authorities to organise collective action in such a way as to enable guaranteed opposition to real and potential aggressors. The ideological orientation of social consolidation in Ukraine is the national idea, which will determine the state-building priorities of social and political life based on civic principles. The fundamental feature of the Ukrainian national idea is its creative nature. This is motivated by the need to establish a constructive dialogue between values traditional to Ukrainian society and cultural innovations that penetrate globalisation processes.