Modern political myths and pseudo-myths in the aspect of the theory of ethnogenesis

The aim of this research is to apply L.N. Gumilev’s theory of ethnogenesis and A.F. Losev’s philosophical doctrine on myth to modern political culture. The essential aspects of the political myth as an invariant of the ethnic myths are analyzed in the article; the ethnic myth itself is intepreted as an integral component of the ethnic mentality and spiritual life of the ethnos. The results of the study show that in modern political reality there are a number of myths and “pseudo-myths” that play a significant role in world politics. The varieties of these political myths are examined, which represent specific transformations of traditional myths. Artificial “pseudo-myths” are revealed as a result of political technologies and socio-political construction, which are essential in modern political reality. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of “pseudo-myths” created for political quasi-ethnicities forming in today’s globalized and individualized society, where traditional ethnic ties are breaking down or weakening. The further political development of individual ethnicities, nations, and humanity as a whole will depend on which myths define their current activities and prospective survival programs.