Abstract: This article examines the phenomena of happiness and hedonism as the paramount characteristics of consumer society and the ways of human existence. The author describes the impact of the ideology of excessive consuming upon the emergence of the phenomenon of “compulsory happiness” and the formation of the value of hedonism. The work explores the so-called “hedonism effect” and its influence on the mind and behavior of individuals. The author analyzes the factors that create a hedonistically oriented person, as well as demonstrates how the ideology of materialism imparts the features of simulacrums to the paradigms associated with the achievements of happiness and hedonism. The scientific novelty lies in the following statements: the contemporary society with its focus on success creates the conditions of the emergence of hyperhedonism and the phenomenon of compulsory happiness; hedonism in consumer society attains the features of ethical imperative; “materialistic” happiness becomes the meaning of life for a contemporary person.  

Abstract: This article attempts to comprehend the risks produced by consumer society. The research interest is  focused on analysis of the phenomenon of excessive consuming  that overwhelmed the social space, as well as the field of human feelings. The author examines the principles of consumer society, their totality and omnitude, and functionality as a social and moral norm. All things are viewed as the symbolic entities, materialized images and desires, illusions and simulacrums. It is demonstrated how the imperatives of consumer society, ideology of materialism create the world of value preferences. The scientific novelty lies in substantiation of a thesis that the consumer society creates circumstances that encourage the emergence of risks of different content and effect. The risks grasp the entire area of social relations, transform the nature of social connection and relationships, and impart negative features onto the moral-ethical norms and value orientations.

Abstract: The object of this research is the phenomenon of ethnocentrism, while the subject is the manifestations of ethnocentrism in modern realities. The author examines the correlation of trends of universalism and ethnocentrism, place of ideology and psychology of ethnocentrism in the processes of global homogenization and standardization. The work also explores the factors that lead to the emergence of ethnocentric worldview and the corresponding to it orientations, as well as the place of ethnocentrism within the structure “global-local”. The  author also analyzes the negative consequences of ethnocentrism, phenomenon of favoritism, role of ethnocentrism as a factor of social identity strengthening, and interrelation between ethnocentrism and extremism. The scientific novelty consists in substantiation of a thesis on the relevance of ethnocentric ideology by the modern trends, which are characterized by the incoherence of development and the ambiguity of effect. The comprehension of ethnocentrism as the worldview, orientation, and instrument for the solution of diversified problems testifies to its complicated social nature that requires a multifaceted examination.

Abstract: The object of this article is the examination of globalization trends, while the subject is the social essence and forms of manifestation of cosmopolitanism and patriotism. The author reviews the controversial unity and interconditionality of these phenomena, their impact upon formation of global thinking and ethnic self-consciousness. The work analyzes correspondence of the cosmopolitan values to the nature of globalization, their conjunction with the values of universalism. Special attention is turned to the dependence of advancement of the globalization process from the combination of cosmopolitan and local patriotic practices. The scientific novelty consists in substantiation of a thesis on the complicated nature of cosmopolitanism and patriotism. The ideas of cosmopolitanism emerged in the course of historical development, being in demand by the circumstances of national and political life, as well as requirements of the civilizational development. The following conclusions were formulated: the importance of cosmopolitan orientations and patriotic values actualizes by the requirements of globalization; 2) the logic of modern development suggests interdependence and interconditionality of these imperative trends of globalization.

Abstract: The object of this article is the anomie, while the subject id the risks of the moral-ethical value anomie. The author examines the crisis of cultural values, processes of spiritual depletion and dehumanization. The interdependency of the cultural and ethnical components of the society from the multiple factors of various level of influence is being traced. A special accent is made on the importance of the role of ideology and national idea in the establishment of an individual and collective moral consciousness. Due to the particular relevance of this problem, it is underlined that there is a need for its further research by the entire complex of socio-humanitarian knowledge. Scientific novelty consists in the substantiation of the thesis on interdependency of the state of cultural-ethnical norms from the socioeconomic, political, and ideological processes. The problematics of the article allows making the following conclusions: 1) the risks of cultural anomie are in need of a comprehensive examination; 2) the study of the causes that lead to various forms of cultural and ethnical deviations require a special attention.  

Abstract: The object under research of the present article is the consumer society, the subject of the research is the nature of illusion as a social phenomenon. The author considers the issues of formation and implementation of illusions into collective conscience as a specific mechanism of social regulation and adaptation to conditions of modern society. The author describes consequences caused by social illusions for individual and collective consciousness. The special role of mass society, network structures and mass media in creation of space of illusions is underlined, risks of the distorted perception of the world for reality life are traced. The methodological basis of the research involves dialectical principles of objectivity, specificity and the need to interpret social illusion as an integral phenomenon. The scientific novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author proposes a thesis about contradictory and controversial nature of social illusions as well as their dependence on requirements of consumerist ideologies. The results of the research allow to make the following conclusions: 1) the author proves that social illusions are in demand in the consumer society; 2) risks of social illusions especially need to be studied further. 

Abstract: The object of the research is consumerism and the subject of the research is the values of a consumer society. The authorof the article considers the reasons leading to revaluation of cultural standards and ethical attitudes. She also traces back the dependence of the system of values on factors of various degree of influence – political, social-stratification and ideological ones. Special attention is paid to the role of economic and market mechanisms giving other contents and development directions to the existing values. The author shows the impact of postmodernist views on the development of individual and collective values. In view of the special importance of the problem the author emphasizes the need for further researches in this area. The methodological instruments used by the author include historical, dialectic and systems approaches as well as the problem analysis from the point of view of the unity of all elements. The scientific novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author makes a statement about the dependence of the system of values on conditions of social practice and dominating world views. The analysis of these problems allow to come to following conclusions: 1) ethical attitudes of the age of postmodernism demands an all-round study involving all branches of contemporary knowledge; 2) the analysis of the conditions that lead to the creation of pseudo-value is especially important.