Problems of ethnic culture formation have been topical in political field until now. This factor is embodied in the associations formed by ethnic communities for a race for political power or territorial autonomy. Numerous political conflicts, including struggle for preserving the ethnic culture identity have remained relevant to present day. The article examines the phenomenon of cultural autonomy, aimed at meeting the cultural requirements of ethnic groups, preservation and development of their traditions and customs. Using the comparative analysis of political science studies, the author reveals basic guidelines for ethnic culture development. However, in those studies the questions of cultural autonomy functioning remain open. The problems of ethnic tolerance of the present period are specified. The tendency of globalization influence on ethnic cultures is analyzed in the article. Both positive and negative sides of this process are examined. At the end of the article the prospects of of ethnic culture development in a political sphere are considered.