Civil Society and Cultural Identity in Kabardino-Balkaria

Various approaches to the study of identity in modern research focus on ethnic, supra-ethnic, and civil identities, which differ in genesis, ways of functioning, and are aimed at forming the spiritual foundations of culture and humanizing education. Multiple interpretations of the phenomenon of identity provide an opportunity for its multidimensional interpretation. It can be considered as a set of individual personal qualities; a common system of guidelines, preferences, values and motivations.; the result of identification that reveals individual and group characteristics. The aim of the study is to identify the role of cultural identity in the formation and development of a civil society based on respect for the spiritual and moral values of any people living in the territory of the Russian Federation. It is noted that cultural identity acts as a unifying factor, including ethnic and religious, regional and state identities, on the basis of which civil society is formed. The scientific novelty of the research is due to a new approach to the study of cultural identity as the basis for the full-fledged development of civil society. In this regard, the main provisions of the cultural policy of the Russian Federation and the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic are an-alyzed, aimed at developing cooperation in the field of culture and supporting the culture of not only titular but also small-numbered peoples in a multinational country.