The role of ethnic identity in modern political processes and intercultural communication

The article defines such concepts as "ethnic identity", "ethnic stereotype", "ethnic consciousness". The existing classifications of ethnic identity types are reviewed. The author believes that globalization, on the one hand, has contributed to the rapprochement of nations and peoples and development of diplomatic cooperation, and on the other hand, has led to manifestations of the heightened national identity, the fear to lose the national identity and unique traditions and values, especially in the eastern developing countries. It is concluded that the main factor in keeping the ethnic identity of a nation is an objective self-evaluation, which influences the attitude of an ethnos to its own way and to another ethnic group.