Ukraine gained independence more than 20 years ago. However, in 1991 the Ukrainian society did not show the readiness to fight for independence and establish a state. With reference to the above, the Ukrainian society – during the initial stage of establishing a statehood – was not involved in shaping principles and a sense of responsibility for their freedom, laws, and the possibility to live in honesty and dignity.Today – almost 23 years after the declaration of independence – Ukraine stands before a real national crisis. The statehood of Ukraine is being questioned not only by our neighbours and “partners” but also by Ukrainians themselves.
Redefining of the traditional approach of the standard of living as a result of economic development, where the main target is the economic growth and a standard of living of the population is only its consequence, is underway in the modern economic science. The living standards of the population are the main social component of the national economies. Social exclusion reflects the partial or total removal of the individual from the social structure of society, and social processes. The purpose of the article is to justify the need to improve the standard of living of the population, and as a result, a significant reduction in the level of exclusion in the Ukrainian society. A set of scientific and special methods was used in writing this article. Analysis was applied when the standard of living of the population was analysed, induction and deduction methods were used in determining the causes of social exclusion, and logical method was used in the development of a new paradigm for improvement of living standards of the population for reducing the level of social exclusion. Structural economic and financial crisis has led to a drop in GDP, decline in living standards of the population, an increase in the number of the unemployed, mass migration of Ukrainian citizens and as a result the growth of social exclusion. Thus, deepening of the differentiation of the standards of living and increased social tension in society are negative consequences of a deep financial and economic crisis in the Ukrainian economy. Taking into account that the biggest part of the Ukrainian society found itself below the poverty line, with the exception of 10% of wealthy people and the rural population faces the greatest risk of social exclusion, overcoming the crisis, and reduction of social exclusion require a new social paradigm of social development, which will be based on the strengthening of the households’ positions, reducing unemployment and migration, increasing the incomes of the population and households.
Ukrainian society is undergoing rapid transformational changes. The authors attempted to identify the main behavioral strategies before the war as well as possible changes in the following years. Attempting to recognize the most prevalent behavior in society, the interaction and attitude of students during the exam were taken into consideration. The student group includes representatives of various regions in proportionate numbers. The research is based on the simulation of the interaction of different groups in society by means of game theory and programming. The study proposes using Schumpeter market disturbances and ‘Nash disequilibrium’ to invigorate the current ineffective system. It has been shown that pre-war Ukrainian society exhibited a very high level of collusion. The interim conclusions were tested using Axelrod’s tournament algorithms and strategies. A simulation of the cooperative equilibrium in Ukrainian society during the pre-war period was demonstrated. The study also contains important predictions about the changes in the institutional environment in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine.
This paper sheds light on the social cohesion shifts that have occurred in Ukrainian society since 24th February 2022. Drawing on the case study method, the research juxtaposes pre-war surveys with data collected in Ukraine during March-December 2022. The study confirms the comprehensive strengthening of social cohesion at both attitudinal and behavioral levels accompanied by unprecedently high institutional trust, civic identity, and mass-spread volunteering. The article demonstrates that the value of Ukraine’s independence became a crucial point for national consolidation under war conditions. The increased mutual support, emotional connectedness, and enhanced horizontal bonds point at the growth of cohesion. It is proposed to treat the practices of resistance, citizens’ expectations about the state’s future, their feelings associated with this the state and their belief in victory as additional indicators of social cohesion measurement during wartime. Alongside the positive trends, the social cohesion risk zones are identified, too, and countermeasures discussed.
The article presents a systematic study of social cohesion phenomenon at the level of amalgamated hromadas as a key local entity of decentralization reform in Ukraine. Building on the analysis of the 26 semi-structured interviews conducted in amalgamated hromadas of two border regions of Ukraine – Kharkiv and Chernivtsi, the author has identified social cohesion components, their interconnection as well as positive and negative factors of social cohesion strengthening at community level. Relying on Chan’s empirical model and perceived perspective of social cohesion, hromada amalgamation is conceptualized as a transformation process of avoiding ‘old practices’ to form ‘new order’. In the process, the establishing of democratic tools, local activist growth, reducing gaps between center and periphery, formation of common sociocultural space are emphasized. Strengthening social cohesion components at the hromada level are stated to become a sure basis for ‘a giant leap’ of Ukraine’s democratisation in the nearest future.
PL
Celem artykułu jest systematyczne zbadanie zjawiska spójności społecznej na poziomie podstawowych jednostek samorządu terytorialnego – połączonych hromad – powstałych na skutek reformy decentralizacyjnej w Ukrainie. Na podstawie analizy 26 wywiadów częściowo ustrukturyzowanych przeprowadzonych w połączonych hromadach w dwóch przygranicznych obwodach Ukrainy – charkowskim i czerniowieckim – zidentyfikowano elementy spójności społecznej, ich powiązanie oraz czynniki wzmacniające i osłabiające spójność społeczną na poziomie wspólnoty. Na podstawie empirycznego modelu Chana i perspektywy akcentującej postrzeganą spójność społeczną, powstawanie nowo połączonych hromad jest pojmowane jako proces transformacji polegający na unikaniu „starych praktyk” w celu utworzenia „nowego ładu”. Przy tym akcent jest położony na wprowadzanie demokratycznych narzędzi, wzrost aktywizmu lokalnego, redukowanie różnic między centrum a peryferiami oraz tworzenie nowej przestrzeni społeczno-kulturowej. Badania pokazały, że wzmocnienie spójności społecznej na poziomie hromady tworzy solidne podstawy do tego, żeby procesy demokratyzacji w najbliższej przyszłości zaszły w Ukrainie.