Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Resistance, Reform and Reconstruction
| Dates: | 19 June 2023 |
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| Times: | 09:00 - 09:00 |
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| What is it: | Workshop |
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| Organiser: | School of Social Sciences |
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ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine that commenced on 24 February 2022 the Ukrainian government and people have faced and responded to a series of acute challenges. Ukraine, its people and its leaders, had to resist extreme and unprovoked Russian aggression on a variety of fronts: not only multiple, physical front lines, but also attacks in the cultural and informational spaces at home and abroad. Civilians and the military alike have been resisting this continued aggression. Now, with no immediate end to the war in sight, Ukraine faces the challenge not only of sustaining this resistance, but at the same time navigating demanding reforms relating to EU accession, and shifting its foreign policy priorities to reflect its European path. Then, in addition to continued resistance and reform, Ukraine is beginning its long road to recovery and reconstruction. The scale of required reconstruction, and the pressing needs of the Ukrainian population and economy, mean that Ukraine cannot wait until the war is over to begin
rebuilding: it needs to initiate simultaneous programs of recovery now, and make difficult decisions about the sequencing of reforms and reconstruction.
Scholars have studied both military/civilian resistance and reform and reconstruction but very few have studied these two factors simultaneously. Not least in the case of a major interstate war. Countries experiencing war tend not to simultaneously become EU candidate states. Military experts and political elites tend not to have thought simultaneously of military strategy and social reform and reconstruction. Elite actor strategies and calculi have had to adjust to a highly complex setting, with an eye on the future whilst understanding that they are engaged in a hybrid war. And ordinary citizens have rarely been part of the ‘fight,’ engaged at such high rates (the MOBILISE project estimates that civilian resistance is 70-80%) in the war effort along with such high numbers deciding to flee abroad or within Ukraine seeking refuge from everyday violence, whilst simultaneously striving to develop tactics for resilience (according to several studies PTSD rates are higher among the civilian population in Ukraine than in the military). The ordinary Ukrainian civilian population is in a simultaneous fight and flight mode. Thus, as scholars we need to understand the complexities of these empirical realities whilst building on past theory that addressed elite of war strategy, explained reform processes and highlighted lessons, and studied civilian engagement. We do this to not only understand the ongoing war of Russian aggression in Ukraine but also, through the consideration of the simultaneous resistance and reform processes, to provide empirically rigorous evidence that is useful to policy makers.
Thus, we must ask: How are Ukrainian politicians and citizens navigating these parallel challenges of resistance, reform, and reconstruction? What resources are Ukrainian actors (elite and civilians) drawing upon to maintain their resilience and commitment to these processes? And how is the government of Ukraine identifying future reform and recovery priorities, even as it continues to fight to defend its statehood? Our symposium, “Russia’s war in Ukraine: Resistance, Reform and Reconstruction,” will bring together scholars who will address these crucial questions.
The aim of this workshop is to present and develop a series of 6-8 scholarly papers that make major empirical (and policy relevant) contributions to the contemporary study of Russia’s war against Ukraine and Ukraine’s recovery and reform challenges in the context of all-out war. We also foresee including 2-3 key voices in the discipline to respond and discuss the papers, thus promoting further dialogue. Our immediate aim is to publish the set of papers and discussant essays as a symposium in a leading journal. We are currently liaising with editors of key journals in our field and we hope to be able to confirm the target journal outlet at the workshop or sooner
if possible.
Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-russias-war-against-ukraine-resistance-reform-reconstruction-tickets-647082490147
(lunch provided)
Roundtable: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roundtable-russias-war-on-ukraine-resistance-reform-reconstruction-tickets-647142178677
Travel and Contact Information
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3.44B
Simon Building
Manchester
