Consolidation of Russia and Characteristics of Russians' Identities

Under conditions of globalization the national identity takes on special significance. Globalization creates unprecedented opportunities for the cultural convergence, expansion of the communicative space, lifestyle enrichment. However it causes many challenges and destructive tendencies, including a trend which is defined as «identity crisis». Ambivalence and ambiguity of globalization practices affecting not only the outer structure of social relations, but also individuals’ inner world reinforce the need to define their own national and cultural identity. This need is global.  However in every society it has its specific manifestations and gives rise to different social consequences. Russia isn’t unique in the fact that it experiences the problem of identity.  As elsewhere Russians are rethinking, comparing themselves and the world, trying to understand the general and the particular in their identification characteristics. Problems of transformation of Russian identity assume ever greater importance.  They mediate the future of the country, its ability to face the challenges of modern world as well as to carry out cultural, economic, social and political modernization. The images which will dominate in mass consciousness will affect the prospects for civil society in Russia, the functioning of political institutions, the social climate of the society.  At the same time the Russians’ perception of themselves, of their own place in the world and of the others affects the formation of political, social and cultural orientation, which mediates the mass sense of place and role of Russia in the modern world, people’s attitude to the Western countries, institutions and values.