The Phenomenon of the Ukrainian National Idea in the Context of Historical Development

Abstract

The Ukrainian national idea as a complex socio-cultural and political phenomenon has gone through a number of stages of formation and development, retaining mainly its essence, but changing its form, scope, functional purpose and depth of expression. Its purpose was and is to consolidate the nation for the most effective implementation of the tasks of Ukrainian nation-building, contributing to the formation and development of its own national statehood, the awakening of national self-awareness and dignity, national culture and language, and the establishment of economic independence. In the conditions of the transition from an industrial to a post-industrial (information) type of society, the Ukrainian national idea requires significant modernization, adaptation not only to the harsh realities of society and the political nation, but also to those civilizational, geopolitical, and economic challenges that the Ukrainian state faces at the beginning of the third millennium. Under these conditions, there is a need to fill the national idea with new content that would correspond to the civilizational, scientific, and informational processes of today. In a concentrated form, the Ukrainian national idea encompasses the economic, socio-political, ideological, spiritual, and religious aspects of the life of the Ukrainian nation: the formation of a socially oriented economy, a legal state, the preservation of national traditions, and the development of the Ukrainian language and culture. Achieving these goals is possible only under the conditions of the priority of the individual in society and the state. Ukrainians need leaders-personalities who are able to lead the people and bear full responsibility for the implementation of the Ukrainian national idea.

The Ukrainian national idea is a set of philosophical, political and moral principles aimed, on the one hand, at fostering in citizens a personal stance, which manifests itself in their ability to be motivated by the interests of society as their own, and to be active participants in political, civic and cultural life; and, on the other hand, at creating a personal atmosphere within society. Should the influence of the Ukrainian national ideal wane, it becomes possible to manipulate the consciousness of citizens, reducing them to passive economic and political actors, and failing to create the conditions for informed economic, political and civic engagement. Firstly, it continues the thousand-year-old tradition of building the Ukrainian state on the foundations of humanism and democracy. Second, it brings back to life the ideal of a person who strives for improvement both for himself and for society. Third, it opens the way for those who are able to act in the interests of the state and society, and, conversely, closes it for those who use a person as a means of manipulation, and the state as a mechanism for enrichment. Fourth, it corresponds to the Ukrainian philosophical and socio-political tradition, which was focused on the formation of a perfect person. Nationwide recognition of the Ukrainian national idea will contribute to the removal from power of a mediocre person who, due to his psychological, intellectual and spiritual potential, is unable to act in the interests of the nation.

Funding: The article was prepared based on the results of the fundamental research «The Modern Ukrainian National Liberation Movement» (12.2017-12.2027), state registration number 0117U005578.