As elections are approaching, the media is
filled with political ads of promises.
However, in Ukraine, the Party of Regions has introduced a simple idea
in their campaign ads that seems natural to (and the desire of) most
Ukrainians. Found on the party
website, the phrase “Ukraine – a Rich European Country of Successful People” is
part of 20 slides describing the success of the past regime and is not even
being contested by other parties.
By exploiting this phrase, Yanukovich is almost taking credit for
“Europeanizing” Ukraine within his presidency during the past four years.
However, Ukraine is still far from meeting the expectations of
their Western neighbors. So how is
this label justified and from where does it receive its inspiration?
After a decade of attempting to adhere to the ambiguities of
European expectations, Ukraine is establishing their own guidelines for
advancement. Since 1991, the
Western world has expressed its support and desire for Ukrainian efforts of
democratization. Progress,
however, eventually stagnated as the support waned to mere words from the west
though still demanding difficult developments; Ukraine reciprocated with its
own artificial effort and hollow promises. Recent Ukrainian success has motivated a push for autonomy.
Ukraine has realized its own importance and is aware of the
contributions it may make by untangling itself from the outside pressures
imposed as it attempts to associate and align their interests to one
entity. Ukraine has uncomfortably
tried to please both sides with one foot stretched West and the other
East. Ukraine may now take the
best from both worlds by standing firmly for its own interests.
One source for this movement is the European
ideology that accession would bring benefit only to Ukraine and failed to
recognize how Ukraine could contribute.
Ukraine was literally stuck between the peripheries seen as dependent by
both her neighbors. While seeking
the interests of other nations, Ukraine neglected its own national
interests. Rory Finnin explained:
“Pick up an article about Ukraine, and you are likely to find reference to a
Ukrainian politician or civic figure as 'pro-EU' or 'pro-Russia' - but never
'pro-Ukraine'.” Yanukovich, whose
motives are hopefully pure, is determining Ukrainian aspirations. Desiring to increase her importance and
influence, Ukraine is beginning to find her own identity. Ukraine will attempt to discover her
potential to create one of the strongest economies in the Post-Soviet
countries.
Although Ukraine would gain much from
adopting European standards, accepting accountability for their own growth is
to a Ukrainian advantage.
Solzhenitsyn explained that a society cannot simply be molded to follow
the Western way of life. “[I]t would mean an improvement in certain aspects,
but also a change for the worse on some particularly significant points.” A country in transition may find a few
useful characteristics to implement during the process of progression, but will
not be able to perfectly mirror the model. In fact Solzhenitsyn boldly states “the Western way of life
is less and less likely to become the leading model.” Ukraine will have to prioritize and identify how it
will move forward. Thus, Ukraine
is emerging independently from the tug-of-war between East and West. Ukraine will be able to seek her own
interests and fulfill her own identity moving forward according to an
autonomous desire.
Victoria Mukha’s summarizes her hope for
Ukraine: “For its part, Ukraine must do all it can to meet the challenges of
transition and become a valued and constructive player. Ultimately, our fate
depends on us. If we take advantage of our opportunities, we will benefit
greatly – and so will others.”
Ukraine, geopolitically, is in a great position; If it chooses to act
responsibly, and in the interests of its people it will surpass the bonuses of
ascending into the European Union.
Sources:
Donskis, Leonidas. “Do Ukraine and the EU Need Each
Other?” The Ukrainian Week. April
26, 2012.
“Ukraine and the West:
Viktor’s Dilemma: A Country Caught Precariously Between East and West.” The Economist. Sep
24th 2011. Kiev and Yalta
Finnin, Rory. “Ukraine: Europe's Terra
Malecognita.” The Huffington
Post. June 07, 2012. Blog.
Kuzio, Taras and Moroney,
Jennifer. “Ukraine and the West:
Moving From Stability to Strategic Engagement.” European Security. 2001. Frank Cass, London. 10 (2). p. 111-126.
Mukha, Victoria. “Globalization: The of Ukraine.” Fellows Articles: The John Smith
Memoial Trust. 2005.
Solzhentsyn, Alekandr. “A World Split Apart.” Commencement Address, Harvard. June 8, 1978.
Interesting post, and who knows, the Ukrainians might find a ‘3d way’ toward building a functioning state. One point, though, may merit closer analysis/investigation, that is, the role of the individual to the state. While there are no absolutes in politics, one does get the impression that many countries in the east still labor under the model where the individual serves the state (vs. the western ideal of the state serving the individual citizen). While I know very little about Ukraine, I have observed among many of my Russian acquaintances that they are uncomfortable with the belief that a state derives its power from the consent of the governed. It would be great for Ukraine, if the Ukrainian people would fully comprehend that their government is ultimately designed to serve the interests of the people.
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