Description
Throughout the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, the Ukrainian government has used digital technologies to obtain foreign policy goals. This paper explores Ukraine’s activities through a new theoretical lens of digital improvisation. The paper argues that digital improvisation occurs when governments use existing technologies in new ways (e.g., social media) given that new technologies have yet to become readily available (e.g., VR). The article examines three forms of Ukrainian improvisation on social media including 1) exerting pressure on big tech companies to leave the Russian market 2) using humour to narrate the War and 3) crowdfunding the War effort. Next, the article explores the societal impact of Ukraine’s digital improvisation arguing that states’ use of digital technologies can lead to changes in personal usage of digital technologies. For instance, following Ukraine’s improvisation, social media users may become accustomed to donating to war efforts. Similarly, humour may impact users’ view of war as a costly and violent solution to crises. Thus, Ukraine’s digital activities may reshape attitudes towards war among digital society members. The paper concludes by examining whether other states are likely to mimic Ukraine’s digital activities, as has been the case in past conflicts, leading to an even greater societal impact.
