Ukrainian volunteer fighters in the eastern front: ideas,political-social norms and emotions as mobilization mechanisms |
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Authors: | Emmanuel Karagiannis |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Defence Studies, King’s College London, Shrivenham, UKmanos.karagiannis@kcl.ac.uk |
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Abstract: | AbstractFollowing the outbreak of the insurgency in eastern Ukraine, thousands of volunteers joined pro-Kiev battalions. Although they have fiercely fought against pro-Kremlin forces, very little is known about them. The article will investigate why individuals have engaged in such a risky endeavour for no obvious material reward. It will claim that ideas, political-social norms and emotions have functioned as mobilization mechanisms that can explain individual decisions. Based on interviews, the article will argue that the mobilization of Ukrainian volunteer fighters has a strong cognitive-normative-emotional dimension that cannot be ignored and should be further explored. |
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Keywords: | Eastern Ukraine Russia insurgents volunteer fighters ideas norms emotions |
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