Abstract

The article analyzes various manifestations of patriotism as a political mobilization component. Political mobilization of citizens in the context of modern political processes is treated as a way to encourage political participation, which is not always totally similar to political activeness. Traditional forms of political participation are complemented by new types of citizens’ political activity, starting with signing online petitions to organizing political flash mobs. Patriotism significantly influences the political activity but has its peculiarities and various degree of display. The aim of the article is the analysis of patriotism as a political mobilization component that has various reasons as well as the ability to become a powerful mechanism for activating the political behavior of modern Ukrainians. Patriotism is treated as a socio-historical phenomenon, tied to certain historical epochs. While analyzing various approaches to determining the essence of patriotism we perceive it as an inborn feature of a person, which at the same time is developed in communication process. It is a concrete, deeply rooted attitude of a citizen to his Motherland, which he demonstrates through an active and dedicated work on the prosperity of a country and protecting it from foreign aggressors who wish to ruin its territorial integrity and state sovereignty The events of 2013-2014 demonstrated a rapid rise of patriotic feelings of the Ukrainians who united their efforts in the fight for the sovereignty of their state. Prior to these events Ukrainians only united at threat of losing what they possess – their usual lifestyle, prestige, authority, income, status, group values’ depreciation etc. In other words, the increase of mass irritableness and fear led to a short-term feeling of unity among the members of the society. The study analyzes the patriotic mood dynamics during the last few years among the citizens of Ukraine and shows the regional differences of its manifestation. The powerful informational influence of the Russian media together with the peculiarities of political subculture and mentality of the dwellers of the Eastern Ukraine facilitate further activation of a destructive patriotism. The study compares manifestations of patriotism in Ukraine and in Russia as well as determines considerable differences in them. The study concludes that the patriotic component of mobilization may have various causes, aims and forms. Social patriotism is now characteristic for the majority of the Ukrainians. It inspires the citizens and facilitates the fight for the sovereignty and democratic development of the state.