Abstract
<jats:p>Abstract. The article presents a comprehensive theoretical and methodological analysis of national consolidation processes amidst the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. Acknowledging the terminological nuances where Western scientific discourse predominantly operates with concepts of "social cohesion" and "national resilience," this study justifies the use of "national consolidation" as an integrative macro-social category. The primary focus is on the actualization and reinterpretation of classical global paradigms through the lens of the Ukrainian experience: the sociology of conflict (G. Simmel, L. Coser), functionalism and social capital theories (E. Durkheim, R. Putnam), communication theory and constructivism (K. Deutsch, B. Anderson), as well as transitological approaches to preserving democratic arenas (S. Huntington, F. Fukuyama). The findings demonstrate that the unique Ukrainian case fundamentally expands traditional Western models. Specifically, the study illustrates the transformation of the "imagined communities" concept in the era of digital resistance and demonstrates the shift from classical institutional hierarchy to horizontal networked resilience (rhizomatic consolidation). It is substantiated that under existential threat, consolidation occurs not through the curtailment of democracy, but through the preservation of key democratic institutions and an unprecedented surge in social capital. The synthesis of Western theories with contemporary Ukrainian academic discourse allows concluding that the consolidation of Ukrainian society is not merely a reactive defense mechanism, but an act of definitive decolonization and a conscious value-based choice. The proposed theoretical framework provides a solid methodological foundation for further interdisciplinary research on social dynamics and the forecasting of societal transformations. The formulated conclusions also have practical significance and can be utilized in the development of post-war state cohesion strategies. Keywords: national consolidation, social capital, national resilience, communicative action, decolonization, social cohesion</jats:p>