Ukraine: War and Polarization

Natalia Dovbysh is a graduate student at the Faculty of Sociology, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, and the head of the public organization "It is Important to Know." As a dedicated public activist, she is committed to social initiatives and community development. 

Citation: Dovbysh, N. (2024). Ukraine: War and polarization. TRUEDEM Blog. https://www.truedem.eu/blog/blog5 

The most difficult times for Ukrainian society are not accompanied by united actions, as it seems to everyone, but by internal discussions of citizens. Why can't we, Ukrainians, come to an agreement? Most likely because there are no conditions for these arrangements. After all, a society with equal rights and prospects can come to an agreement and live amicably.

The main forms of inequality in Ukraine include gaps in income, access to education, health services and social resources, as well as inequality between regions and different social groups. Everything that happens as a result of manifestations of inequality causes deep political mistrust, which further contributes to the division of society.

According to the results of surveys conducted by the Razumkov Center in October 2024 (http://surl.li/glvfys), the level of political trust in Ukraine has the following indicators: the level of trust and distrust of local authorities is almost the same - 45% and 46%. There is also an increase in mistrust of the public sector, in particular towards the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Government, and the judicial system. Accordingly, citizens feel unprotected, their basic need for security is not covered. And even more – citizens are exposed to new risks, stresses and losses every day. At the same time, society cannot independently cover these needs, cannot influence decisions of international importance.

Distrust of the authorities against the background of unsatisfied basic security needs contributes to the growth of protest sentiments among the population. People who feel that the state is unable to provide them with adequate protection or solve the problems associated with life in war conditions (eg protection from shelling, provision of electricity, water, heating) are prone to protests or active political opposition. This may increase the risk of political destabilization.

In critical conditions, citizens become increasingly radicalized, thus increasing polarization in society and open political conflicts. In such current conditions, society wants to compensate for security with more local closed needs, which, unfortunately, cannot be adequately realized either: full-fledged education, promising social protection, quality medicine, appropriate wages, etc. At each of these levels of needs, society experiences inequality. In particular, only children of wealthy citizens who can afford to attend private educational institutions receive a full-fledged education.

The salary for employees of budget institutions does not even cover the needs of communal services. Hence, we have low interest and zero responsibility of the authorities to improve the living conditions of residents.

The social sphere is aimed at solving the current war problems and does not cope with those that have existed until now: low-income families, large families, people with disabilities, the elderly and the lonely. Unfortunately, people who need social protection and support and are not participants in hostilities are generally out of sight of the authorities.

The medical system cannot cover such a large demand from patients, because the outdated material and technical base, the lack of medicines and state health insurance programs force people to mercifully live out their old age. Quality medicine is available only for money, in private medical structures.

Thus, we see that the lack of regulation of living conditions has given life to total monopoly capitalism, which is a parasite on society. The market system of relations created a great gap between the population. Society really polarized into rich and poor. In a market economy, profits are unevenly distributed. Those who own or control capital receive the highest wages, while low-skilled workers are paid the least. Low-income people feel alienated from the political process, further reducing trust in institutions and strengthening populist movements.

Distrust of the authorities in conditions where basic security needs remain unsatisfied is a serious challenge for the state, as it threatens both internal stability and long-term development.