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The sociology of genocide: Ukrainian experience and challenges of reflection

stmm. 2025 (1): 25-42

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2025.01.025

Full text:

HANNA SAMCHUK, PhD Student at the Faculty of Sociology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (4d, Acad. Hlushkova Av., Kyiv, 03680)

hanna.samchuk@knu.ua

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7226-5470

OLHA BEZRUKOVA, Doctor of Sciences in Sociology, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Вranch Sociology, Faculty of Sociology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (4d, Acad. Hlushkova Av., Kyiv, 03680)

o.bezrukova@knu.ua

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4305-6218

The article examines the sociology of genocide as a new and important area of sociological research that emerged in response to numerous challenges related to mass violence, humanitarian crises, hate speech, and their devastating impact on modern societies. Special attention in the article is devoted to the Ukrainian context, particularly the experience of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, which is accompanied by numerous crimes that could be classified as acts of genocide.

The authors analyze the reasons behind the insufficient development of this subject in Ukrainian academia. Among the key factors identified are the colonial legacy, which has restricted the development of the humanities for decades; the traumatic nature of such studies, which complicates scholars' work; and the lack of an interdisciplinary approach necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon.

One of the key elements of the article is Gregory Stanton’s model, which describes ten stages of genocide organization—from classification to denial, the latter being the final stage of the process. The authors note that this model is not only a tool for analyzing historical events but also a powerful instrument for preventing crimes against humanity, as it allows for the identification of dangerous trends at early stages. At the same time, the article highlights some of the model’s shortcomings.

The article also discusses potential post-genocide transformations in societies that have suffered catastrophic losses and the importance of overcoming them. A key aspect here is overcoming collective trauma, restoring social ties, addressing the consequences of the marginalization of victimized groups, and developing memorialization policies that help preserve the memory of these tragedies. Particular importance is given to Claudia Card's concept of social death, which provides a broader understanding of the impact of genocide on identity, cultural memory, and the life prospects of future generations.

The authors emphasize the importance of deeply studying genocide in the Ukrainian context to develop effective reconciliation policies, protect the rights of vulnerable groups, form a strong national identity, preserve historical memory, and open pathways for further development of genocide sociology and deepening academic discussions.

Keywords: genocide, sociology of genocide, Holodomor, Holocaust, Russo-Ukrainian war, post-genocide recovery, social death

References

  1. Bruce, S., Yearley, S. (2006). The SAGE Dictionary of Sociology. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446279137

  2. Card, C. (2010). Confronting evils: Terrorism, torture, genocide. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from: https://www.cambridge.org/9780521899611 https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511782114

  3. Chalk, F., Jonassohn, K. (1990). The History and Sociology of Genocide: Analyses and Case Studies. Yale University Press.

  4. Grinberg, M. (2020). I accuse Auschwitz. Family stories. [In Ukrainian]. Chernivtsi: 21 Publishing House.

  5. Hughes, E.C. (1962). Good people and dirty work. Social Problems, 10(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.2307/799402

  6. Kozytskyi, A. (2021). Research on the Holodomor and Genocide Studies. [In Ukrainian]. Lviv: Apriori Publishing.

  7. Lemkin, R. (2020). Soviet Genocide in Ukraine (article in 33 languages) (Ed. R. Serbyn; Comp. O. Stasiuk). [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Publisher Melnyk M.Yu.

  8. Nadosha, O., Honskyi, V. (2007). The Holodomor - not only 7 million lives but also 66 tons of gold, 1439 tons of silver, diamonds, antiques. Etc. [In Ukrainian]. Ukrainska Pravda, January 5. Retrieved from: https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2007/01/5/3193641/.

  9. Nestor, D. (2022). Bucha torture chamber: Civilian prisoners were tied up, forced to kneel, and executed (video). [In Ukrainian]. Novynarnia, April 3. Retrieved January from: https://novynarnia.com/2022/04/03/kativnya-v-buchi-polonenyh-czyvilnyh-u-pidvali-zvyazuvaly-stavyly-na-kolina-j-rozstrilyuvaly-video/.

  10. Shaw, M. (2015). What is Genocide? (2nd ed.). Polity. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.96054-9

  11. Sokurenko, Ye. (2024). Kupiansk torture chamber: What residents of liberated Kharkiv region still cannot forget. Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin, February 16. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.relativespp.org/free-our-relatives/kupyanska-kativnya-shcho-i-dosi-ne-mozhut-zabuti-meshkanci-deokupovanoyi-harkivshchini.

  12. Stanton, G.H. (1996). The ten stages of genocide. Genocide Watch. Retrieved from: https://www.genocidewatch.com/tenstages

  13. The Crimean Human Rights Group explained how Russian propagandists incite Russians to genocide against Ukrainians. (2022). ZMINA, December 2. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://zmina.info/news/krymska-pravozahysna-grupa-poyasnyla-yak-rosijski-propagandysty-pidburyuyut-rosiyan-do-genoczydu-ukrayincziv/.

  14. Tytych, V. (2024, July 25). The destruction of a nation not only through mass killings: The "problem" of proving genocide and how culture fits into this. [In Ukrainian]. Ukrainska Pravda, July 25. Retrieved January from: https://www.pravda.com.ua/columns/2024/07/25/7467349/.

  15. United Nations. (1948). Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.1_Convention%20on%20the%20Prevention%20and%20Punishment%20of%20the%20Crime%20of%20Genocide.pdf

  16. Zakharchenko, M.V., Burlachuk, V.F., Molchanov, M.O. et al. (1996). [In Ukrainian]. Sociological Thought in Ukraine: a textbook. Kyiv: Zapovit.

  17. Žalec, B. (2013). Genocide as social death: A comparative conceptual analysis. Anthropological Notebooks, 19(2), 57-74.

Received 16.01.2025

The sociology of genocide: Ukrainian experience and challenges of reflection

stmm. 2025 (1): 25-42

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2025.01.025

Full text:

HANNA SAMCHUK, PhD Student at the Faculty of Sociology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (4d, Acad. Hlushkova Av., Kyiv, 03680)

hanna.samchuk@knu.ua

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7226-5470

OLHA BEZRUKOVA, Doctor of Sciences in Sociology, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Вranch Sociology, Faculty of Sociology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (4d, Acad. Hlushkova Av., Kyiv, 03680)

o.bezrukova@knu.ua

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4305-6218

The article examines the sociology of genocide as a new and important area of sociological research that emerged in response to numerous challenges related to mass violence, humanitarian crises, hate speech, and their devastating impact on modern societies. Special attention in the article is devoted to the Ukrainian context, particularly the experience of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, which is accompanied by numerous crimes that could be classified as acts of genocide.

The authors analyze the reasons behind the insufficient development of this subject in Ukrainian academia. Among the key factors identified are the colonial legacy, which has restricted the development of the humanities for decades; the traumatic nature of such studies, which complicates scholars' work; and the lack of an interdisciplinary approach necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon.

One of the key elements of the article is Gregory Stanton’s model, which describes ten stages of genocide organization—from classification to denial, the latter being the final stage of the process. The authors note that this model is not only a tool for analyzing historical events but also a powerful instrument for preventing crimes against humanity, as it allows for the identification of dangerous trends at early stages. At the same time, the article highlights some of the model’s shortcomings.

The article also discusses potential post-genocide transformations in societies that have suffered catastrophic losses and the importance of overcoming them. A key aspect here is overcoming collective trauma, restoring social ties, addressing the consequences of the marginalization of victimized groups, and developing memorialization policies that help preserve the memory of these tragedies. Particular importance is given to Claudia Card's concept of social death, which provides a broader understanding of the impact of genocide on identity, cultural memory, and the life prospects of future generations.

The authors emphasize the importance of deeply studying genocide in the Ukrainian context to develop effective reconciliation policies, protect the rights of vulnerable groups, form a strong national identity, preserve historical memory, and open pathways for further development of genocide sociology and deepening academic discussions.

Keywords: genocide, sociology of genocide, Holodomor, Holocaust, Russo-Ukrainian war, post-genocide recovery, social death

References

  1. Bruce, S., Yearley, S. (2006). The SAGE Dictionary of Sociology. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446279137

  2. Card, C. (2010). Confronting evils: Terrorism, torture, genocide. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from: https://www.cambridge.org/9780521899611 https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511782114

  3. Chalk, F., Jonassohn, K. (1990). The History and Sociology of Genocide: Analyses and Case Studies. Yale University Press.

  4. Grinberg, M. (2020). I accuse Auschwitz. Family stories. [In Ukrainian]. Chernivtsi: 21 Publishing House.

  5. Hughes, E.C. (1962). Good people and dirty work. Social Problems, 10(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.2307/799402

  6. Kozytskyi, A. (2021). Research on the Holodomor and Genocide Studies. [In Ukrainian]. Lviv: Apriori Publishing.

  7. Lemkin, R. (2020). Soviet Genocide in Ukraine (article in 33 languages) (Ed. R. Serbyn; Comp. O. Stasiuk). [In Ukrainian]. Kyiv: Publisher Melnyk M.Yu.

  8. Nadosha, O., Honskyi, V. (2007). The Holodomor - not only 7 million lives but also 66 tons of gold, 1439 tons of silver, diamonds, antiques. Etc. [In Ukrainian]. Ukrainska Pravda, January 5. Retrieved from: https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2007/01/5/3193641/.

  9. Nestor, D. (2022). Bucha torture chamber: Civilian prisoners were tied up, forced to kneel, and executed (video). [In Ukrainian]. Novynarnia, April 3. Retrieved January from: https://novynarnia.com/2022/04/03/kativnya-v-buchi-polonenyh-czyvilnyh-u-pidvali-zvyazuvaly-stavyly-na-kolina-j-rozstrilyuvaly-video/.

  10. Shaw, M. (2015). What is Genocide? (2nd ed.). Polity. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.96054-9

  11. Sokurenko, Ye. (2024). Kupiansk torture chamber: What residents of liberated Kharkiv region still cannot forget. Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin, February 16. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://www.relativespp.org/free-our-relatives/kupyanska-kativnya-shcho-i-dosi-ne-mozhut-zabuti-meshkanci-deokupovanoyi-harkivshchini.

  12. Stanton, G.H. (1996). The ten stages of genocide. Genocide Watch. Retrieved from: https://www.genocidewatch.com/tenstages

  13. The Crimean Human Rights Group explained how Russian propagandists incite Russians to genocide against Ukrainians. (2022). ZMINA, December 2. [In Ukrainian]. Retrieved from: https://zmina.info/news/krymska-pravozahysna-grupa-poyasnyla-yak-rosijski-propagandysty-pidburyuyut-rosiyan-do-genoczydu-ukrayincziv/.

  14. Tytych, V. (2024, July 25). The destruction of a nation not only through mass killings: The "problem" of proving genocide and how culture fits into this. [In Ukrainian]. Ukrainska Pravda, July 25. Retrieved January from: https://www.pravda.com.ua/columns/2024/07/25/7467349/.

  15. United Nations. (1948). Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.1_Convention%20on%20the%20Prevention%20and%20Punishment%20of%20the%20Crime%20of%20Genocide.pdf

  16. Zakharchenko, M.V., Burlachuk, V.F., Molchanov, M.O. et al. (1996). [In Ukrainian]. Sociological Thought in Ukraine: a textbook. Kyiv: Zapovit.

  17. Žalec, B. (2013). Genocide as social death: A comparative conceptual analysis. Anthropological Notebooks, 19(2), 57-74.

Received 16.01.2025

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