POLITICAL UPHEAVAL IN UKRAINE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES (original) (raw)

Challenging the State: Political Elites, Protest Movement and the Opportunity for Democratic Change in Ukraine, 2000-2001

Using the political process model of social movements (Tilly, Tarrow, McAdam), paper analyzes the origins, dynamics and outcome of the protest movement in Ukraine (December, 2000 – March, 2001). Among structural preconditions of the protest, the paper points to increasingly authoritarian nature of Ukraine’s political system and the absence of an organized democratic opposition to the regime. Transitory opportunities for popular mobilization included division within Ukraine’s ruling elite and the emergence of an influential political actor allied with protesters. Finally, the murder of an independent journalist and public release of evidence implicating top Ukrainian officials in this crime provided emotional impetus for the nationwide protest. Development of the protest movement is viewed as a function of the tactical interaction between protesters, authorities and other political and social actors. Thus, authors differentiate between three stages of the protest cycle in Ukraine. In the incipient stage (1) all the main political actors experienced uncertainty regarding their interests and strategies, which provided protesters with considerable power leverage. During the reactive stage (2), protest diffused to the regions, the authorities tried various techniques to neutralize the protesters, while other political actors looked for ways to use the protest action to advance their interests. The escalation stage (3) of the protest was marked by high public mobilization, effective counters on the part of the authorities, and co-optation of the protest movement by emerging political opposition. Demobilization of Ukraine’s protest movement came as a result of a combination of internal and external factors, including lack of new protest forms, use of violence by protesters, renewed unity within the ruling elite and altered political context of insurgency. Paper traces the movement’s impact by focusing on changed societal attitudes, elite opinion and patterns of the political process in Ukraine in the aftermath of protest actions.

The Concept of Activity of Contemporary Political Movements in Ukraine

The article presents our own concept of operation for the newly formed Ukrainian political movements, which, in our opinion, can offer comprehensive solutions to their basic problems and will become a precondition for establishing their systemic cooperation. The concept we developed includes the following components: the main tasks of the movement, requirements for its activities, structured field of activity, organisational structure of the movement, methodology of its operations, and the technological operation process of the movement.

Contemporary Ukraine: A case of Euromaidan Social, Health, and Communication Studies Journal Contemporary Ukraine: A case of Euromaidan

2020

The revolutionary events known as the Euromaidan fundamentally restructured Ukrainian political life and advanced the culture of politics. As with the Orange Revolution, the roots of the Euromaidan can be found in its idealism: the Ukrainian people's desire to create a state wherein the ideals associated with freedom, in their broadest sense, are respected. The dedication to ideals was more than political rhetoric; it was almost religious. This level of dedication helps explain the powerful motivation of those who took to the streets in mass protest. This paper examines the important differences between the Maidan of 2013-2014 (the Euromaidan) and the Maidan of 2004 (the Orange Revolution). A description and explanation of the stages of revolution in relation to the Euromaidan are provided, followed by a discussion of ideological consensus between political parties. The historical basis of the Maidan symbols are also examined, with further deliberation on how these symbols were...

The Ukrainian Left during and after the Maidan Protests

The paper seeks to present a balanced, well documented and nuanced discussion covering the full range of positions of the Ukrainian left and activities in relation to the Maidan and Anti-Maidan movements and the war. It covers all the major groups and parties who at least identify with the socialist and/or anarchist tradition: from ‘old left’ parties originating from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) to ‘new left’ organisations, unions and informal initiatives that did not have any relation whatsoever to the CPSU. The paper gives a brief overview of the most important (and often still unresolved) questions about major political events in Ukraine starting from 2013. Then it describes and explains the positions and political activities of the various Ukrainian organisations on the left towards the Maidan uprising, the Anti-Maidan movement and the war in eastern Ukraine. The paper attempts to answer the following questions. How did different left wing organisations try to intervene in the Maidan and Anti-Maidan movements and how successful were their interventions? To what extent were they able to defend the left agenda against liberals and (both Ukrainian and Russian) nationalists? To what extent did they rather follow the agenda of their political opponents? What were the differences not only between the different left wing organisations but also between groups in Kiev and in the provinces? What was the real scale of repression by the new government and by the far right against various left wing organisations? To what extent did the repression specifically against the left or rather against separatist forces challenge the state’s integrity? What are the current prospects and opportunities for left wing politics now in Ukraine both in the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary spheres? Are there any prospects for a ‘left turn’ in the separatist republics? What political lessons should the European and the international left draw from the political events in the Ukraine and what were their results for the local left?

New Ways of Expressing and Suppressing Dissent in 21st Century: A Study of Ukraine

Expressing dissent is an important part of any democratic step up. In last few years we have witnessed protests in several countries including democratic countries. However, what is interesting the methods of protests that have been adopted by the protesters. The methods are largely influenced by the happenings in the other parts of the world especially the Middle East. Government also has adopted some unique ways and often harsh measures to quell the protests. Reactionary measures adopted by countries across the continents in the 21st century makes an interesting study. Protests have gripped Ukraine since the government rejected a far-reaching accord with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia in November 2013. They turned violent on 19 January and deadly on 22 January in the capital, Kiev, where confrontation degenerated into rioting after the government brought in tough new legislation to end mass protests on the main square. Ukraine as a country is not new to protests. The country saw the now infamous Orange Revolution in 2005. The paper will make an attempt to understand the new ways of expressing and suppressing dissent in the 21st century taking Ukraine as a model. In this regard, the study of Ukraine is very appropriate.