How Democratic Values Shaped Emotions and Hope in the Czech Republic during the War in Ukraine

What is it about?

This publication explores how people in the Czech Republic reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and how their democratic values shaped their emotions, behaviour, and sense of hope during a time of crisis. The study is based on a long term survey that followed the same group of people for almost two years. Because we collected data both before and after the invasion, we were able to observe how their views and feelings changed over time. We looked at what we call the democratic spirit, which refers to how strongly people believe in democracy and how willing they are to take part in democratic life. We wanted to understand whether people who cared more deeply about democracy would react differently when a nearby democracy was attacked. The results show a clear pattern. Czech citizens with a strong democratic spirit felt a surge of compassion, admiration, and determination when the war began. They did experience negative emotions as well, such as fear or anger, but positive emotions were more dominant. These individuals also became even more connected to democratic Europe and were significantly more willing to help Ukraine, both personally and through support for government action. Many donated money, assisted refugees, or supported military aid. Their democratic values motivated them to act. Importantly, these helping behaviours became a bridge to hope. People with strong democratic values did not feel hopeful simply because of those values. Instead, hope grew out of their actions. Those who helped others felt more hopeful about the future of Ukraine and about their own society. Overall, the study shows that democratic values can play an important protective role in times of crisis. They encourage positive emotional reactions, strengthen social belonging, increase willingness to help, and support a sense of hope even during very stressful events.

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Why is it important?

This is the first study to examine the psychological effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine using data collected before the war started. Because we had a full year of pre invasion data, we were able to show how pre existing democratic values shaped reactions later on. This gives our findings strong credibility and allows us to understand the invasion not only as a geopolitical event but also as a deeply personal and emotional experience for citizens of a neighbouring democracy. The study also highlights an overlooked idea. Democratic values are not only political preferences. They can serve as an important psychological resource. In moments of instability and fear, these values help people stay emotionally balanced, feel connected to others, and take constructive action. This makes the findings relevant far beyond the Czech Republic. Many countries are now dealing with overlapping crises, from wars to pandemics to economic uncertainty. Understanding how democratic values support resilience can help governments, educators, and communities strengthen social cohesion in difficult times.