The Effects of the Russo-Ukrainian War on Moral and Civic Values

Abstract

I study the effect of the Russo-Ukrainian War on moral, social, and civic values by comparing survey data which I collected in Ukraine in November 2022 with data on the same survey questions gathered in previous waves of World Values Survey. I find a significant rise in “rational” or broadly socially liberal values, and a very large rise in civic and social values like belief in democracy and social activity. These findings are out of line with prior studies showing a rise in conservatism following wars but in line with a literature showing a growth in pro-social ingroup behaviour. I also survey respondents on their specific experience in the war, (e.g. an experience of being wounded vs. a seperate experience of losing their job). Similar results hold for a broad increase in the intensity of violence experienced but those who have only experienced economic impacts of the conflict, such as job loss, see a rise in conservatism and lower interest in civil society. I also see a diminished East-West regional divide. These results suggest that Ukrainian civil society is experiencing growing popular support and a increased pro-liberalism sentiment.