ETHNOSOCIAL FACTOR OF REGIONAL GOVERNANCE (retrospective review on the example of Kherson region)

Abstract

The article analyzes the features of the system of ethno-spiritual values of the residents of Kherson Oblast. The history of formation of the ethnic composition of the region from the beginning of its mass official settlement till present in the language, educational and religious spheres using archive material and works of regional historians is traced. This study analyzes the ethnic flows of “new lands” settlement at the end of the XVIII century and certifies the principal dominance and autochthony of Ukrainians that is connected with previous existence of Cossack settlements. As part of the study of results of census survey in the region from 1898 to 2001, the tendency to increase in proportion of Ukrainians, in particular in the city, and, accordingly, of Ukrainian native speakers is determined.

In parallel, the development of bilingual opposition “Ukrainian (local) - Russian (metropolitan)” is studied, which is typical of the Imperial and post-Imperial situations when the colonial language was inferior to the metropole language qualitatively and quantitatively - in education, management, religion and culture. This happens under conditions of quantitative dominance of native Ukrainians. It is noted that today the Imperial Russian remains active in informal communication in cities and in some information sources (in particular on the Internet). However, it is emphasized that today the language opposition no longer deeply affects the general worldview opposition among local population, which is divided into Europe-focused and Russia-focused people.

It is concluded that at the end of the XIX century, the Ukrainian ethnic majority was formed in the region, which makes it logical to speak of dominance of Ukrainian ethno-spiritual values. The constant replenishment of Kherson, Odessa and Mykolaiv by rural population (mainly Ukrainian) formed the potential environment for citizens of the future independent state, despite their bilingualism and affiliation of a certain part to the “Soviet people”.