MYTH AS MEANS OF REGULATING SOCIAL AND POLITICAL RELATIONS IN CONTEXT OF INFORMATION WARFARE

Abstract

Problem setting. At the time when states and societies are undergoing significant social and political transformations, there is a substantial increase in the role and sig- nificance of a mythological component of the public awareness. Violent political, eco- nomic and state transformations, social and military conflicts, inability of adequate ra- tional explanation of the social and political climate in the state and definition of future prospects for development, lack of developed national ideology are actualizing the ten- dency to mythologization of citizens’ public consciousness. Recent research and publications analysis. The problem of social and political my- thologization, its use in manipulative technologies, role and meaning in functioning of the society is actively discussed in the political, sociological and philosophical discourse. Paper objective. The article is aimed at revealing the essence of the social and po- litical myth and its modifications (stereotypes, «fake») and revealing their significance in manipulating Ukrainian citizens’ public consciousness in the context of information warfare. Paper main body. Crisis processes in the modern Ukrainian society, connected with hostilities in the East of the country, annexation of the Crimea, economic and social in- stability, existential uncertainty, loss of social guidelines and priorities, social disappoint- ments of a significant part of people are determining the process of social and political mythologization. Under these conditions, there is an urgent necessity to define social functions of my- thology which has a positive character consolidating the nation, awakening national and civic consciousness, nurturing the national identity and ensuring the historical and ideo- logical connection of generations as well as negative one which manifests itself in hyper- trophied perception of the role of a separate political leader or certain political force, fueling interethnic hostility and active political manipulation. Political mythology plays a significant role in uniting the country’s population around a certain political force which does not always use the political energy of the public in the interests of the state and society. Under modern conditions, the mythologization pro- cess is impossible without use of mass media and Internet resources that have an impact on both citizen’s individual consciousness and public awareness. Conclusions of the research. Under conditions of social and political instability and military threat, Ukraine also suffers from information warfare that affects the strategy of the country’s foreign and domestic policy. In the circumstances, it is necessary to take into account the significance of social and political mythologization, use all the possi- bilities in order to direct its influence to maintain national interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Keywords

• міф
• соціально-політичний міф
• міфологізація
• інформація
• інформаційна війна