Value shifts in the Post-War Ukrainian Society: Directions, Factors, Subjects

Abstract

The article focuses on possible factors, directions and subjects of value dynamics in the post-war Ukrainian society. It is emphasised that it is necessary to preserve the value cohesion of the Ukrainian population, which was actualised during the full-scale phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The factors of value shifts are identified, such as new forms of social inequality caused by the emergence of new social groups in Ukraine (internally displaced persons, refugees; military personnel who defended Ukraine in the Armed Forces and territorial defence; Ukrainians who were in the temporarily occupied territories; collaborators, etc. ); the emergence of new vulnerable groups (disabled veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war; citizens who lost their homes; children whose parents died during the war, etc.); the demographic crisis, physical, psychological and social health of citizens, their economic situation; corruption by representatives of state and local authorities, etc. It is emphasised that one of the main subjects of value changes in public consciousness is Ukrainian youth, whose axiological discourse has a rather distinct postmaterialist component. A comparative analysis of the value orientations of the Ukrainian population, including the youth cohort, before and during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia is carried out. Based on the results of empirical research by Ukrainian sociologists, it is proved that, in contrast to some statements of R. Inglehart's theory, the level of postmaterialism of Ukrainian youth in the war has not only not decreased, but has increased. The author concludes that, despite this, the value syndrome of ‘security’ (A. Ruchka), i.e., orientation towards economic and physical survival, will prevail in post-war Ukraine.