Marking time on the way to democracy in Ukraine: A causal layered analysis

Abstract

The establishment of a democratic political system has been declared as one of the main priorities of Ukraine since gaining independence in 1991. Yet, three decades on, Ukraine’s democracy remains ineffective and superficial. It is thus productive—and apposite—to seek an alternative method for studying such a complicated and multidimensional problem. This article employs “causal layered analysis” (CLA), developed in Futures Studies to gain additional insight into the reasons for Ukraine’s incomplete and halting democratization. CLA aims to get to the underlying causes of problems and involves analysis at four “layers”: litany, system, worldview, and myth/metaphor. As we demonstrate here, this method can be fruitfully applied to better understand Ukraine’s democratization—or, rather, its lack of it. At the layer of litany, the main facts and data concerning democracy in Ukraine are summarized. The second—systemic layer—is related to the study of democratic transition based on the approaches of various academic disciplines and theories. The research at the third layer is concerned with interpretation of the problem within the framework of five worldviews. At the deepest layer, we identify and characterize some of the myths underlying the aforementioned worldviews. Based on these analyses, key problems are identified and prospects for the future democratization of Ukraine are outlined.

Analysis of the modern functional field of effective implementation of public control in the system of public administration in Ukraine

“…At the deepest level, the authors have identified and characterised some of the myths underlying the above-mentioned worldviews. Based on this analysis, key problems are identified and prospects for the future democratisation of Ukraine are outlined (Turchyn et al, 2020).…”

(In)visibility of the Displaced Populations: the Blind-Spot Effect

“…Secondly, as the problem of IDPs' visibility is a multidimensional one, causal layered analysis (CLA) methodology (Bussey 2014;Inayatullah 2004) and the results describing the specifics of the methodology applied in the Ukrainian context of democratization have been considered as well (Turchyn et al 2020). In the context of the CLA levels in multiculturalism and migration studies -litany, systemic causes, worldview, and myth/metaphor -Sohail Inayatullah mentioned that "migration policy is shaped not by social or economic factors but the confluence of political and myth factors" (Inayatullah 2004;36).…”