Dynamics of Ukrainians’ trust in political institutions in the context of war (2022–2025)

Кондов, Костянтин Володимирович (2025) Dynamics of Ukrainians’ trust in political institutions in the context of war (2022–2025) Український соціум, 94 (3). pp. 99-114. ISSN 2518-735X

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Abstract

The article examines the dynamics of Ukrainian citizens’ political trust in political institutions during the full-scale war. The study is based on data from Ukraine’s leading sociological centres: the Razumkov Centre, Centre for Social and Marketing Research “SOCIS”, and the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. The profound transformation of the political landscape under martial law, creating a unique basis for rethinking theoretical models of trust, particularly in the extreme conditions of a national crisis, is described. The author argues a paradoxical structure of trust: the highest levels of support are given to security institutions (Armed Forces of Ukraine – 93.5%, Security Service of Ukraine – 63.8%), followed by the President (57.5%), local mayors (50.8%) and councils (47.6%), while traditional political institutions such as the Government (22.5%) and Parliament (17.8%) remain at low levels. The study confirms the emergence of a new architecture of political trust grounded in effectiveness in ensuring security, proximity to citizens at a local level, and symbolic leadership. The main factors undermining trust are identified as the persistence of high-level corruption, insufficient transparency in decision-making, and the personalised concentration of power. At the same time, the results demonstrate that even during wartime, Ukrainian society maintains democratic orientations: a significant proportion of respondents believe the country is moving towards democracy (50%), despite a high share indicating authoritarian tendencies (41%). Empirical analysis confirms the main principles of K. Davis and W. Moore’s structural-functional theory regarding the functional reorientation of trust criteria from formal powers to the actual capacity to ensure security and efficiency under existential threat conditions. The study demonstrates the persistence of normative expectations according to T. Parsons’ theory, as Ukrainian society is not ready to accept the lowering of ethical standards even during wartime. The findings reveal the mechanisms of trust personalisation as a form of symbolic capital (P. Bourdieu) and trust localsation in spaces of direct interaction (F. Fukuyama). The research identifies the formation of a new architecture of political trust combining high demands for government efficiency with a critical attitude towards authoritarian tendencies, creating a foundation for expanding existing conceptual models of political trust in extreme conditions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	institutional trust; political trust; structural functionalism; social order; democratisation; authoritarianism; political institutions; national security; public opinion; power
Subjects:	Статті у періодичних виданнях > Фахові (входять до переліку фахових, затверджений МОН)
Divisions:	Факультет суспільно-гуманітарних наук > Кафедра політології та соціології
Depositing User:	Костянтин Кондов
Date Deposited:	10 Mar 2026 16:00
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2026 16:00
URI:	https://elibrary.kubg.edu.ua/id/eprint/56601

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