Postwar Ukraine, Democracy, Kurt Lewin, and the Reconstruction of Germany

Ukraine will face unique challenges if and when the Russian invasion has ended. The transition from wartime to peacetime can result in many social and political outcomes. The possibility of a persistent threat adds to the complexity. The transition from the more autocratic needs of wartime society to a non-militaristic democracy is by no means guaranteed. Lessons can be learned from past experiences, such as post WWI and WWII Germany, and the failed reconstruction of the Civil War in the United States. Social scientist Kurt Lewin (1890 – 1947) provides a theoretical basis for contrasting democracy and autocracy. Lewin applied his theories to understanding the failure of democracy in post WWI Germany and the reconstruction of Germany after WWII. Using Lewin’s work as a foundation, this article considers lessons learned in hopes of being a guide for the eventual cultural reconstruction needed in post war Ukraine.