Resilience - Shaping Security bottom-up: Case Studies from Ukraine

This thesis aims to explore the relationship between resilience and security in the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The study examines the hierarchical structure between these concepts and the role of the state and civil society within this framework. By analyzing the Ukrainian case, the research offers valuable insights for other former Soviet republics dealing with Russian aggression and provides lessons for Western countries experiencing relative peace. The work also addresses the need for conceptual clarity surrounding security and resilience, particularly in the context of national security strategies. Through an exploration of civil society's potential as a substitute for the state, the thesis contributes to policy-making and further research in the field of resilience within national security. By examining the events leading up to the Russian invasion and considering the Revolution of Dignity as a turning point in Ukrainian society, the study highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics between resilience and security and the evolving role of civil society in the face of hybrid warfare. Finally, the thesis challenges the conventional military-focused approach to security and advocates for a reconceptualization of security that encompasses a broader perspective, taking into account civil society's contributions to resilience and security.