Kuts H. M., Kuts Yu. O. Ukrainian political identity vs russian political identity: demarcation lines

The article is devoted to identifying the key demarcation lines between Ukrainian and Russian political identities. Particular attention is paid to the importance of conceptual demarcation between the notions of Ukrainian and Russian political identities in the context of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Political identities, like various forms of collective identities, are acquired phenomena. They undergo changes over a long period of time. It is noted that effective strategies for constructing political identities determine the formation of new traditions. A comparison of the phenomena of Ukrainian political identity and Russian political identity is carried out, in particular in a historical context. The main differences between the Ukrainian and Russian types of political identities are identified. It is argued that the categories of individualism, freedom, and rejection of authoritarian principles are key to Ukrainian political identity. For carriers of Russian political identity, the category of freedom does not hold significant value. On the contrary, servile obedience has long been considered a virtue within Muscovite society. Carriers of Ukrainian political identity adopt a critical attitude toward representatives of power. Accordingly, one should not expect automatic submission to authority from Ukrainians. For citizens of Ukraine, the authority and legitimacy of the head of power are important. For carriers of Russian political identity, the need for a supreme leader is essential. It is this leader who is expected to make all important decisions independently, while the population is required to execute them. This state of Russian political culture is determined by long-standing practices of authoritarianism. It is stated that one of the dominant features of Russian political identity is atomization, that is, the fragmentation of society. Such a situation makes the formation of large-scale protest actions in Russia impossible, since people are unable to trust one another. Carriers of Ukrainian political identity are characterized by the ability for cooperation and self-organization, which is formed in societies with a high level of social capital, where there is significant trust among people.