How war changes social behavior

Wars don’t just destroy buildings and lives—they also change how people interact. The study reviews research from around the world, showing that violence has mixed effects on social trust and cooperation. While war often makes people more willing to help those in their own group, it can also increase distrust toward outsiders.

For example, research on past conflicts, including in Kosovo and Sierra Leone, shows that war survivors often become more engaged in political and community activities. However, studies from Ukraine suggest that exposure to violence can also deepen divisions, particularly against perceived enemies. This dynamic could influence how Ukrainians view foreign allies and their country’s relationship with the European Union.

Key highlights from the brief

• Mixed effects on trust and cooperation: People affected by war tend to help those in their own group but may become more suspicious of outsiders. This could complicate efforts to build unity in Ukraine and strengthen international ties.
  
  
• Stronger political engagement: Many studies suggest that those exposed to violence are more likely to vote, attend community meetings, and engage in activism. This could play a role in Ukraine’s future democratic development.
  
  
• Implications for EU membership: Ukraine’s path toward joining the European Union will require trust in Western institutions. If war reduces confidence in foreign allies, it could make integration efforts more difficult.

Meet the author

• Anders Olofsgård: Deputy Director of the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and Associate Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics.
  
  Email: Anders.Olofsgard@hhs.se

Photo: Andrii Yalanskyi, Shutterstock