Academic Scientific JournalsFormation of a Persistent Archetype of a ‘Warrior’ Among Combatants: Problems and Prospects for Post-war Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26881/jpgs.2026.1.04Keywords:
warrior archetype, veterans, veterans’ reintegration, public sphere, social cohesion, veterans’ policyAbstract
The article examines the mechanisms through which a persistent “warrior” archetype crystallises among combatants as a set of norms, expectations, and self-descriptions that sustain agency and discipline, yet may transfer wartime patterns of interaction into civilian life, generate tensions in the public sphere, and complicate communication within the family and the workplace. It is shown that, for post-war Ukraine, the purposeful transformation of this archetype has clear governance relevance, as it is linked to the restoration of trust and social cohesion, the prevention of violent practices, the resilience of work collectives, and the stability of family relations, as well as to the overall effectiveness of a policy on veterans. It is argued that the issue is equally salient for European Union countries due to their experience of veterans’ reintegration and the need to align approaches to psychosocial support and anti-stigma measures, while the Ukrainian post-war context will also produce cross-border security implications. The paper outlines state priorities for converting the “warrior” archetype into constructive civic and professional identities through an integrated combination of rehabilitation, education, family counselling, conflict mediation, and the advancement of inclusive practices in communities.
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