Conclusion : old and new paths of resilience

Abstract

The conclusions challenge the prevailing neoliberal view of resilience as an individual responsibility, highlighting instead how Poland, Germany, and Ukraine have embraced predominantly state-centred approaches, attempting to influence civil engagement and bottom-up initiatives during crises. The analysis reveals a complex interplay between state-led initiatives and citizen agency, with the Ukrainian case showcasing resilience as essential self-defence against aggression, contrasting with the more preparatory, risk-management approaches of Germany and Poland. The points of departure for analysed courtiers are indeed very different. While Ukraine is threatened in its very existence by the Russian attack, Poland and Germany have developed their resilience strategies under the impression of different subsequent and overlapping crises and what seems to be an increasingly uncertain future. Ultimately, the chapter argues for a nuanced understanding of resilience, acknowledging its potential for emancipation, not only empowerment but also constraint, and advocating for a critical examination of its underlying governmental practices, values, and ethical implications within varying socio-political contexts