POLITICAL IDENTITY AS AN OBJECT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of identity as a complex, multidimensional category of contemporary political science that is formed at the intersection of social, cultural, and political factors. The main theoretical approaches to understanding identity (psychological, social-constructivist, cultural, and political), as well as its levels and forms – national, civic, ethnic, regional, and political – are analyzed. The aim of the article is to clarify the principal theoretical and methodological approaches within political science discourse to the phenomenon of identity and its political functions. It is noted that, according to scholars, identity is not a fixed or given characteristic but is formed and transformed under the influence of the socio- political context, historical memory, cultural narratives, and communicative practices. Researchers emphasize its multidimensional nature and its key role in processes of political mobilization, the legitimation of power, and social consolidation, especially in the context of hybrid conflicts and information wars. In the Ukrainian context, the formation of an inclusive civic and national identity emerges as a key prerequisite for democratic development, effective resistance to external informational and security threats, and the preservation of state integrity. The article concludes that, under contemporary socio-political conditions, identity is a dynamic, multi-level, and context-dependent phenomenon that plays a decisive role in processes of political self-organization, social consolidation, and the provision of national resilience. It is emphasized that systematic and comprehensive research into the phenomenon of identity makes it possible to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of political processes, the character of interaction between the state and the citizen, and the specific features of political culture formation in the context of ongoing global transformations.