No Land to Give: Wartime Narratives and the Symbolic Value of Territory
Journal: Global Studies Quarterly
Year: 2025

Abstract Why do individuals affected by war often reject territorial concessions, even when such compromises might end violence? This article investigates the emotional and psychological mechanisms behind public opposition to “land for peace” agreements, focusing on Ukraine during its war with Russia. Drawing on original survey data from 287 Ukrainians, the study examines how nationalism and group-based moral framings augment the symbolic value of national territory. The findings demonstrate tha