Meningsskapande och våld: En antropologisk studie om svenska frivilliga soldater i Ukraina

Sammanfattning: This study examines the process of meaning-making among Swedish volunteer soldiers who engage in the conflict in Ukraine, exploring the role of violence in their decision and experience. The research is grounded in an existentialist perspective, focusing on individual reasoning and worldview. Through qualitative content analysis of interviews with four Swedish volunteers, the study reveals that their decision to participate in the war was aligned with their pre-existing moral values and sense of agency. Combat emerged as a central element in their meaning-making process, providing a sense of purpose and achievement. Waiting periods underscored combat’s significance, where engagement alleviated frustration and purposelessness. The study also highlights the transformative impact of violence on the informants’ sense of self and moral obligations. It concludes that while violence isn’t the primary objective or method of the journey, it shapes the journey’s meaning and their understanding of themselves. This research contributes to understanding the complexity of voluntary engagement in conflict from an existential perspective.