Ukrainian Civil War in a Sociological Context

Current Event Due 11:55p Sunday Week 5 the Week 5 Homework 2 Assignment meets objectives: Apply a sociological perspective social world. Analyze contemporary social issues sociological imagination sociological theories concepts analyze everyday life.

The Ukraine conflict has generated much controversy in recent months as a community of experts has gotten actively involved in discussing the topic and in attempting to provide solution to the crisis. Even with the fact that initial decisions were related to getting an international body to intervene and influence the two belligerent camps to put down their weapons, it gradually became clear that the situation would require more thought and that the people involved are reluctant to yield to their adversaries. Shaun Walker and Howard Amos's article "Ukraine civil war fears mount as volunteer units take up arms" provides information with regard to the critical nature of the conflict.

By analyzing matters from a sociological perspective, one can get a better understanding of why both camps are reluctant to abandon their principles and of why the international community is hesitant about getting involved. Many have the tendency to consider that conditions in Ukraine have been influenced by relatively recent events and that Ukrainians were generally accepting of the political environment in their country up until recent months. However, according to Newman and DeRouen (2014, p. 83), "civil war is not a functionalist breakdown in essentially peaceful social systems, the result of external forces or macro-level structures acting on a society, or a temporary abnormality; instead, it is rooted in, and constituted by the structures, practices and conditions of social existence at the present juncture."

When considering symbolic interactionism, it would be safe to say that both the pro-Ukraine and the pro-Russian camps are determined to fight for the values they believe in. Conflict theory emphasizes the fact that individuals in each camp feel persecuted and are thus unwilling to allow the people they consider their enemies to simply take control. Functionalism enforces the idea that the international public is hesitant about intervening because of the outcome of such an act -- this would disrupt balance, as many countries depend on Russia's resources and would thus experience significant loss as a consequence of acting against it.

When considering conditions regarding the Ukrainian militia that came together during recent days, it would appear that these individuals are determined to do something in spite of their limited understanding of the concept of fighting in general. Micro-violence is an essential concept resulting from civil war and such cases are not isolate. People are generally inclined to interfere when it comes to conflicts that involve them more or less. The idea of civil war is especially complex and the present situation makes no exception from the rule. Pro-Ukrainian forces were initially persecuted and they are now in charge of things. Victims practically became perpetrators, soldiers become rebels, and the masses are confused with regard to what side it would be best for them to choose.