Ühtevus

Ühtevus is an Estonian social science term referring to the characteristic of a community or group to act in a coordinated, cooperative, and unified manner. The term is used to describe the degree to which members share norms, values, and expectations that enable collective action. In practice, high ühtevus is associated with trust, frequent collaboration, and willingness to adhere to common rules, whereas low ühtevus corresponds to fragmentation, mistrust, and pluralistic norms that hinder coordinated action.

The word combines a root related to unity or oneness with a suffix that forms abstract nouns, reflecting its status as a qualitative concept rather than a tangible object.

Researchers assess ühtevus through indicators such as social capital, perceived legitimacy of institutions, civic participation, and consistency of behavior across contexts. Methods include surveys, ethnographic observation, and network analysis.

It is used in studies of urban development, policy design, and conflict resolution to explain why some communities mobilize quickly in crises while others do not. Critics note that the concept can obscure differences within groups and is sensitive to cultural context; what constitutes shared norms varies across communities. Related terms include social cohesion, social capital, and collective action.