Society is a dynamic system that is always in motion, in which certain changes always occur, leading either to development or to regression. These changes are often so contradictory that it is possible to say whether they contributed to improvement or, conversely, negatively affected society, only after some time. One of these phenomena can be called interethnic integration, the tendencies toward which are now being observed more and more clearly.
What it is?
Interethnic integration is a social science term. By it is meant the rapprochement of cultures of different nationalities, the blurring of borders between them.
Where does interethnic integration come from?
This happens due to another process that is also observed in modern society - globalization. The world is gradually becoming a single economic, political and cultural space. With the development of transport, communications, the Internet, those borders that could impede the establishment of contacts between states have disappeared. In addition, in the age of high technology, in the information age, the struggle for minerals, for the territory has lost its relevance - the war for the land has stopped. Conflicts and disagreements have been replaced by the understanding that it is much more effective to cooperate with other countries, and the need for unification. All this is the prerequisites for interethnic integration.
How is it manifested?
Interethnic integration can manifest itself in different ways and at different levels of society. It permeates everything from the foundation of society - the economy, ending with the worldview of people, their consciousness. Depending on what sphere of activity it affects, there are several forms of interethnic integration. The first is economic. Examples of interethnic integration of this type are various interstate economic unions (OPEC, WTO, European Union), trade campaigns affecting several countries, transnational corporations (the same automobile factories, whose headquarters are located in one country, and concerns are scattered around the world). The next form of integration is political: in addition to economic unions, large associations are being created that jointly try to solve global problems and answer global issues. Such alliances include the United Nations, the NATO military alliance, and others.
When the soul lies to unification
Perhaps the longest and most complex process is interethnic integration, which takes place at the level of people's consciousness. When cultures unite not thanks to specially created unions, but as if by themselves, penetrating one into another. When the values of one people are imperceptibly woven into the guidelines of another, when, under the influence of another culture, the mentality of the people gradually changes, and customs are enriched with new traditions. Now, many Muslims are no longer surprised by a European girl in a mini skirt, while Europeans, meanwhile, are happy to eat sushi with Japanese chopsticks. Interethnic marriages are being concluded, centers of foreign culture, language schools are being opened, communication with foreigners is being established everywhere.
The other side of the coin
Of course, the worldwide unification of peoples and cultures has its positive features: when solving issues jointly, the interests of all parties are taken into account, when approaching spiritually, each of the nations is enriched with something new, plus integration contributes to the development of tolerance in people and tolerance of differences. However, despite all the advantages, there is a flip side to the coin. With a strong convergence of the two cultures, they may lose their identity, uniqueness. One, more developed and stronger, can absorb, simply destroy the other. Therefore, we must think not only about how to get closer with other nationalities, but also about the preservation of our traditions and customs. It is necessary to take care of your native culture, not to forget the values that it preaches. Each of the representatives of a particular nationality should be proud of their people, remember their roots and origins, and not stupidly copy the lifestyle of another ethnic group.
