Effects of Ukraine War much deeper and longer lasting, say researchers

URL copied to clipboardShare

Getty images.

While public interest in the war in Ukraine may have decreased, the effects have been much deeper and potentially longer lasting around the world, according to an international collaboration of researchers.

Academics from the University of East Anglia have guest edited a special issue of the journal Policy Studies on the effects of the war, published this week.

The issue includes 20 articles from researchers in 20 countries, including Ukrainian academics, covering the impacts on human development, economies, policy and governance, and power.

The opening introduction sets out a framework proposing an inter-disciplinary approach for evaluating the effects of war, with the editors emphasising how war can affect different layers of society - and how they interact.

In particular, how conflict causes ripple effects across the following areas: direct human and material destructions; human capabilities; economies; values and attitudes; policy and governance; and domestic and international power relations.

Toby James, one of the editors of the special issue and Professor of Politics and Public Policy at UEA, said: "As governments and legislators around the world continue to make time critical decisions about how to respond to the conflict, it is important to consider the depth of the consequences of the war.

"Public attention has declined but the effects have been deep, enduring and ongoing. There have been ripple effects affecting, human lives, economies, policies and power around the world - even if most citizens are not aware of them.

"The possibility of further conflicts means that governments should assess their preparedness for any such events. This means building resilience to protect societies against shocks, being able to provide humanitarian support where needed, and also acting to help prevent wars from arising in the first place."

Co-editor Ra Mason, Sasakawa Associate Professor at UEA, added: "The war in Ukraine continues to rage on to daily deadly effect. We all need to learn from this, not just so that it stops and never starts again, but also to understand the full impacts and legacies of continuing 'politics by other means."

The papers are drawn from disciplines of economics, development, political science, law, public administration and international relations.

Policy Studies Special Issue 'The effects of wars: lessons from the war in Ukraine', Vol 45, Issues 3-4, May-July 2024.

Study with usExplore our research