Abstract

Through the prism of sociological knowledge, the essential characteristics of risks of identification produced by the modern political process are revealed. In particular, it is shown that in modern society there is a change in the identification practices that are caused by the transformation of general cultural identity, which is based on a new understanding of risk as a product of decision making. It is noted that the political process affects primarily the institutional level of society, through a system of social institutions, influences the process of identification of an individual. It is thanks to the normal functioning of social institutions that the joint cooperative activity of people in groups and organizations is supported. On the basis of such integration, an individual develops a sense of belonging to a social group, which ensures, on the one hand, the subordination of the individual to existing standards, and, on the other, group protection and an assessment and self-assessment system, which, in turn, contributes to maintaining the stability and integrity of society. Disruption of the normal functioning of social institutions leads to a violation of identification processes. A set of conditions for political identification, each of which produces its own risks, is outlined. This is a complicated stratification, multicultural structure of modern society; the influence of computer technologies, mass media and virtual space on the desacralization of power; diminishing interest in meta-ideology and related global political projects; permanent and large-scale updating of the elements of the past; proliferation of militaristic thinking. It is determined that each form of identity corresponds to its set of risks. For example, the risks of ethnic identity are associated with possible exacerbations of contradictions between representatives of different nationalities, which can turn into open clashes. The risks of civic identity are due to the fact that in the civic identity, the following civic qualities such as patriotism, respect and knowledge of the historical past of the country and the maintenance of the state order are at the forefront. The risks of religious identity are determined by the fact that the attitude towards religion mediates behavioral patterns, and accordingly there is a gap between declared religiousness and the practical manifestation of faith. The risks of regional identity demonstrate the superiority of regional interests over the nation-wide, as well as the feeling of their own superiority as a representative of a unique community that can negatively affect interaction with immigrants from other territories.