XENOPHOBIA IN ENGLISH SOCIAL RESEARCHES: FROM EXPLAINING THE REASONS TO UNDERSTANDING DYNAMICS

Abstract

For the last two decades the process of interrelations between international migrants and the receiving nation has been in the focus of social researchers’ careful attention. Nevertheless, the most part of comparative studies of migration process is devoted to studying migrants’ adaptation and integration, whereas the problems of the received nation’s adaptation to constantly increasing number of nonethnic newcomers is paid much less attention. In this context the factors determining dynamics of xenophobic sentiments in the society as regards to migrants are the subjects for discussion in social sciences. The author on the basis of considering xenophobia within the methodological framework of 1) theories of threats, 2) theories of nationalism, 3) theories of social identity and 4) theories of values makes a conclusion that these theoretical approaches though giving extensive cognitive interpretations of the reasons of xenophobia are deficient to explain dynamics of xenophobic sentiments. The author considers the theory 5) of value evolution, particularly the role of one of its notions -existential insecurity as a theory helping understand the deep factors affecting dynamics of xenophobia in modern societies. On the basis of the accomplished analysis the author makes a hypothesis that tolerant or xenophobic personal orientations are formed depending on the level of existential security or existential insecurity, which a person experiences during the period of his development.