Zubrytska L. A myth as a phenomenon of modern politics.

The thesis deals with a research into the phenomenon of a myth in modern politics. The main characteristics of a myth that make its functioning in the society's political sphere possible were singled out on the basis of a research into the world scientific works on modern myths. The essence of a political myth, its features, structure and functions were determined. It was shown that a myth emerges during the process involving the formation and creation of myths; the application of certain techniques or technologies in the creation of myths was investigated. It was demonstrated that a political myth is a way to manipulate mass consciousness, the role of the media in the process, which is the main tool to propagate political myths, was clarified. The role and place of myths in the modern Ukrainian society's political life were investigated, it was ascertained that their character and extent of proliferation depends on the Ukrainian mentality's basic features, archetypes that are proper for it and political situation in any particular historical period.