In times of crisis and social degradation caused by war, populism flourishes. In prosperous societies with a high level of education and strong civil activism, populism finds little fertile ground. However, where survival becomes the core issue, populists thrive.
At the start of the war, the public's demand for soothing and simple explanations created the "two-three weeks till victory" phenomenon, despite its unrealistic nature. Authorities responded to this need, reinforcing beliefs in rapid triumphs even when not justified by reality.
Populism naturally emerges from poverty and social exhaustion, which war accelerates. In survival mode, people view populist figures as saviors, while sober discussion about challenges becomes unattractive. This leads to a lumpenized society, presenting an additional challenge for Ukraine’s future.
In politics, President Zelensky instructed deputies to create a three-year plan for parliament, raising questions about postponed elections and the prospect of power remaining unchanged. The expert wryly notes that even three years seems modest, given the ongoing prolongation of political mandates. Ukrainian leadership increasingly resembles a realm of eternal mayors and deputies, contrary to the constitutional need for power rotation, which threatens the state itself.
Thus, war and insecurity fuel populism and the conservation of power, forming a vicious circle that only a mature and critical society can break through reforms.
