SUMMARY
To date there are a number of acute problems that are discussed by philosophers, political scientists, sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, and cultural scientists. Among them, one can highlight the issue of political myths in modern society. Mythologization is not only the first and only form of social consciousness, but also a factor, shaping the socio-cultural space of the present and the future. With the help of this tool, the mentality of the people is formed and the historical background of the scenario of the future development of the state is laid. Society as a whole, and individuals, in particular, react to crises and threats, or using innovative ideas, or by resorting to old methods that have been successfully used to overcome previous crises.The results of the study of the relationship between politics and the creation of myths are reflected in the scientific works of such authors as V. Andrushchenko, V. Bebik, M. Holovaty, V.Gorsky, A. Donchenko, M. Karmazin, Yu. Levenets, I. Kresin, V. Korolka, V.Matvienko, M. Mikhalchenko, M. Obushny, G. Pocheptsova, Yu. Romanenko, Z. Samchuk, Yu. Shapoval, F. Shulzhenko and others. Some aspects of myth-creation were studied by such authors as : O. Donchenko, Yu. Romanenko, O.Yatsunskaya, S. Kara-Murza, T. Rassadina, S. Lebedev, O. Makarova, D. Usov, P. Gurevich, E. Kassierer , K. Hübner, R. Bart, D. Dadayan, O. Zazdravnova, Yu.Levenets, G. Pochetsov, T. Paniotova, Yu. Shajgorodsky and others. However, the author’s opinion is that, the theoretical aspects of the issue under study require a generalization of concepts for a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of its implementation in modern society.The main purpose of writing this article is to generalize the theoretical aspects of the political mythologization of modern society through social networks.The article analyzes the main approaches of scientists to the definition of the concept of «political myth» and proposes the actual definition of this concept. In article it’s researched that the political myth is a set of tools that are applied taking into account human weaknesses and emotional experiences and aimed at achieving the personal goals of representatives of the political sector of the state in the realization of political ambitions or in the context of information wars. In the article the political levels, in which political myths arise and exist are characterized. First level is the theoretical one, which is connected with the development and functioning in the minds of individuals fundamental social science knowledge and values, which are the basis of state ideology. The second one is the propaganda level, which is associated with the development and introduction of publicly available ideological knowledge and values that are acceptable for mass learning and assimilation of mass consciousness through the various mythological forms. It was discovered that mass culture arose not only as a counterweight to the elite one, but also to create its consumer – an average and unbecoming mass person, characterized by the following features as: the quantitative superiority; territorial heterogeneity of people; anonymity of many individuals; the absence of a structural organization, recognized leader and defined program of social action; inclination to suggestion. It is determined that in modern society, the mass media perform a number of functions, the most important of which are: communicative (observing events and forming public opinion in relation to their essence); informative (collecting, editing, commenting and disseminating information); relaying (reproduction of a certain way of life with an appropriate set of political, spiritual, social values); propaganda (very often is masked). The structure of preferences of Ukrainian citizens regarding the choice of social networks is analyzed. And it was determined that in 2017 Ukrainians preferred social networks such as Facebook (51.96%), Twitter (32.05%). The types of political myths are also analyzed: myth «about the rescuer-messiah», myth «about conspiracy», myth of «trial of destiny», myth of «the benevolent community». The modern manifestations of the political mythologization of modern society with the help of social networks are characterized.