Why do Ukraine and Ukrainians Support Democracy? An Analysis of Historical Origins of Pro-Democratic Attitudes in Ukraine

This article examines how Ukraine’s historical experiences of occupation and territorial fragmentation could have led to the emergence of a democratic political culture. Using individual-level psychological theories, I illustrate that extended periods of occupation cultivated pro-democratic values among Ukrainians by nurturing sentiments of resistance and independence. Additionally, the historical presence of territorial fragmentation contributed to the promotion of diverse perspectives, stimulating social dialogue and encouraging citizens to pursue increased participation in politics. The existence of these democratic attitudes among Ukrainians is examined by utilizing the pooled data from the World Values Survey collected between 1996 and 2020.