Ukraine is still struggling to define its identity 20 years after independence
Ukraine is still struggling to define its identity, 20 years after its independence from the Soviet Union. Eariler this year we discussed Kosovo’s similar struggle after three years of independence. Svitlana Tuchynska describes the Ukrainian national identity debate in a KyivPost article.
Here are some interesting excerpts:
The complicated ethnic and geographical mix of Ukraine, topped off with a controversial history of wars, repressions and occupation by its neighbors, has provided rich fodder for politicians to try to mobilize citizens to vote in elections, often exacerbating rifts.
According to a recent Institute of Sociology poll, the majority of Ukrainians (57 percent) think that things in Ukraine are moving in the wrong direction. Thirteen percent say that things are not moving at all and only 13 percent were optimistic.
With around half of countries economy in shadow, Ukraine is also one of the most corrupt countries in the world, occupying 134rd place of 178 countries, according to Transparency International in 2010.
With corruption, collapsing infrastructure, poor social benefits, substandard healthcare and so much more in desperate need of fixing, experts say that only pragmatism can now become a new national idea for Ukraine, rather than the mantras of a glorious past and rich culture promoted by Yushchenko.
Access the full article here.
(Photo: WorldCupBlog.org)
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