19.08.2012
Some features of Ukrainian patriotism
- According to the latest survey conducted by the Rating Group in August 2012, an increase in the level of patriotism was recorded in Ukraine. Compared to two years earlier, the share of respondents who consider themselves patriots of their country increased from 77% to 82%, and compared to six months earlier it rose even more sharply, from 73% to 82%. In particular, 40% of respondents clearly identify themselves as patriots of their country, while another 42% say they are rather patriots than not. Only 10% do not consider themselves patriots, and 8% were unable to decide.
- The most noticeable growth in patriotic sentiment was recorded in the East of the country, in Donbas, as well as in the West and the North. In the South, by contrast, opposite trends were observed. This means that patriotism increased most strongly in regions where EURO-2012 matches were held, which suggests that this growth may largely be connected to that event. Traditionally, older people are the most likely to consider themselves patriots. At the same time, patriotic attitudes have also grown among young people, and a particularly strong increase has been recorded among women. These trends further indirectly point to a link between EURO-2012 and the rise of patriotism, and one can even speak of the emergence of a certain “fashion for patriotism.”
- The strongest feelings of patriotism are observed among supporters of Svoboda and Batkivshchyna, but a significant increase in such attitudes is also recorded among supporters of the Party of Regions. The lowest levels of self-declared patriotism are found among supporters of UDAR and Natalia Korolevska’s party “Ukraine – Forward!”, primarily because of the large share of young people in their supporter base.
- Ukrainians most often name as sources of pride in their country and people the place where they were born and grew up (34%), the land and territory where they live (29%), national songs, holidays and traditions (27%), native nature (26%), the country’s past and history (25%), Ukrainian diligence and ability to run a хозяйство (25%), and great people of their nationality (24%). In addition, people also take pride in the emotional qualities of their people (22%), the state in which they live (21%), and their native language (19%). Somewhat fewer respondents mention faith and religion (12%), sporting victories (12%), literature and art (11%), and the graves of ancestors and memory of them (11%). National symbols such as the flag, coat of arms and anthem evoke pride for only 4%, while military power inspires the least pride of all, at just 1%.
- The place where one was born and grew up evokes the greatest pride in the South, the East and Donbas, and more often among supporters of “Ukraine – Forward!” and the Party of Regions. Ukrainian songs and traditions are especially valued among supporters of Batkivshchyna and the Communist Party, while Ukrainian diligence is most often mentioned by supporters of “Ukraine – Forward!”. Great Ukrainians are admired most in the East, North and West, among both opposition supporters and those of the Party of Regions. Pride in history and the past is strongest in the North, Center and Donbas, especially among supporters of the Communist Party and the Party of Regions. Pride in the state, as well as in the language and religion of one’s people, is highest in the West. Sporting victories are most often mentioned in the Center, particularly by UDAR voters. Emotional qualities of the people are emphasized in the East, literature and art in the North, and respect for ancestors’ graves in the South.
- An absolute majority of respondents, 61%, answered the question “Who am I?” by saying “a citizen of Ukraine.” About half as many identified themselves primarily as residents of their region, city or village (29%) or simply as “a human being” (24%). Another 19% would name their nationality, almost one in ten would mention their family role or describe themselves as a Soviet person. Only 6% would call themselves Europeans, 5% would mention their profession, and about 3% would say they are a “citizen of the world” or refer to their religious beliefs.
- Those most likely to identify primarily as citizens of Ukraine live in the West and Center and are mainly supporters of Svoboda and the united opposition Batkivshchyna. Saying simply “a human being” is more common in the East and West, especially among supporters of “Ukraine – Forward!” and UDAR. Naming one’s nationality is most common in the West and North, especially among supporters of Svoboda and Batkivshchyna. About one third of Communist Party supporters and nearly one sixth of Party of Regions supporters consider themselves Soviet people. These views are most common among older people and pensioners, particularly in the South and East. Identifying as a European is most typical for young people and is most widespread among supporters of Svoboda and UDAR. The idea of being a “citizen of the world” is most common among supporters of “Ukraine – Forward!” and UDAR.
- Over the last two years, certain changes have occurred in how patriotism, national pride and self-identification are understood. Ukrainians have become more proud of their country through national songs, holidays and traditions, through native nature, and through national diligence and хозяйственность. At the same time, pride in national heroes, the state, ancestors’ graves, religion, and national symbols such as the flag, coat of arms and anthem has declined. Although the number of people identifying as citizens of Ukraine has grown, the share of those who would name their nationality has decreased.
- Based on correlations between answers to the questions “What makes you proud of your country and people?”, “Who am I?”, and “Do you consider yourself a patriot of your country?”, the study identifies markers of stronger and weaker patriotism. In the question about sources of pride, the most patriotic markers are “the flag, coat of arms and anthem,” “the state in which I live,” “great people of my nationality,” “the language of my people,” and “our literature and art.” In the question “Who am I?”, the most patriotic answers are “a citizen of Ukraine” and “naming one’s nationality.”
- This creates a paradoxical situation: overall patriotism seems to have increased, yet most key patriotic markers have declined. Moreover, over the past two years the share of people ready to defend their country with arms has fallen from 43% to 33%, while the share of those not ready to do so has risen from 38% to 54%. The more a person feels like a patriot, the more willing they are to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity with weapons. This suggests that the growth of patriotism contains a strong emotional and possibly situational component. Readiness to defend the country is highest in the West, especially among supporters of Svoboda, and lowest in the South and among Communist Party supporters. Almost half of men and one in five women say they are ready to defend their country with arms.
- If Ukrainians had to decide today whether to support independence, 61% would support it, 26% would oppose it, and 13% would be undecided. Support for independence is nearly 90% in the West and around 70% in the North and Center, but less than half in the East, South and Donbas. Importantly, in every region supporters of independence still outnumber opponents. Independence is supported most strongly by young people and least by older people, even though older people tend to see themselves as more patriotic. Some older respondents consider themselves patriots while at the same time not recognizing independence and identifying as Soviet people.
- An overwhelming majority of respondents oppose the secession of Galicia (84%), Crimea (90%) or Donbas (90%). Only 5% support the separation of Galicia, less than 1% in the West but over 10% in Donbas and the South. Only 3% support the separation of Crimea, less than 1% in the West, 4% in Donbas, and about 10% in the South. Only 2% support the separation of Donbas, about 2% in the West and 8% in Donbas itself. Thus, residents of Galicia themselves categorically oppose separation, while some support for it exists in Donbas and the South, primarily among Communist Party supporters and to a lesser extent among Party of Regions supporters. In the West, Center, North and East, separation of any territories is not supported. In Crimea and Donbas there is some support for separation of their own territories, but these views are far from dominant, and the absolute majority emphasize the need to preserve the territorial integrity of the country.
Methodology
- Survey population: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older.
- Sample size: 2000 respondents.
- Method: face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire.
- Sampling error: for values close to 50% no more than 2.2%, for values close to 30% no more than 2%, for values close to 10% no more than 1.3%, for values close to 5% no more than 1%.
- Fieldwork dates: 8–18 August 2012.
