EN
In this article ethnic cleansings and genocides - as general social facts, which have very similar roots - are analysed and explained by constructing the draft general model. The model of the process of ethnic cleansings and genocides escalation includes six elements: chauvinist mobilization, mass hostility, security dilemma, myths, emotions (positive, e.g. pride, and negative, e.g. fears) and public discourse (author refers to Stuart J. Kaufman's model of processes of ethnic conflict escalation). There are two variants of this process: elite-led and mass-led. The keys to explanation on the origin of ethnic cleansings and genocides are myths and emotions, which drive people to hostilities. Therefore important part of the text are considerations on sociology of genocidal emotions.