SOCIO-CULTURAL INTEGRATION AS A TOOL FOR ETHNIC CONFLICTS RESOLUTION IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS

The aim of the research is political analysis of contemporary theories and concepts of socio-cultural integration as peacebuilding and reconciliation strategies in the process of resolving ethnic contradictions in the North Caucasus. Latent and potential ethnopolitical conflicts are the most notable challenges and threats to civic and ethnic peace in the North Caucasus region. Today, a fundamental problem is emerging that requires a constructive solution in order to ensure political stability in the region - it is the promotion of multi-level socio-cultural integration. This paper explores the major political approaches to the study of conflict resolution strategy from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. The author attempts to answer a key research question based on the hypothesis that numerous unresolved conflicts and latent ethno-regional tensions have fundamental destructive consequences for political stability, socio-cultural integration, and regional security. The study argues that the potential escalation of ethnic conflict, determined by deep ethnic contradictions, is a direct consequence of large-scale macro-social disintegration, which creates a threat to the security of the multi-ethnic North Caucasus. The research question is that the modern strategy of constructive resolution of ethno-regional conflicts, based on inclusive socio-cultural integration, is a highly effective consolidation resource for peacebuilding in the North Caucasus. The author analyzes contemporary political theories, devoted to the study of the consolidating potential of socio-cultural integration, which determines the strategy of constructive conflict resolution in the unstable multi-ethnic North Caucasus. The paper concludes that socio-cultural integration as a tool for conflict resolution and peacebuilding can serve as a preventive method for managing ethno-regional conflicts.