Towards Democratic Consolidation? Ukraine After the Revolution of Dignity

Abstract

This paper explores the challenges and opportunities of post-Maidan Ukraine’s democratic consolidation, with a focus on its attitudinal, behavioral and institutional dimensions.The study suggests that Ukraine’s transition from a hybrid regime to a consolidated democracy involves addressing a series of societal and institutional issues, ranging from transformation of paternalistic culture to institutional development of political parties and civil society organizations (CSO). Institutionalization is essential for shifting from charismatic appeal or rule to well-established institutions that translate leader’s vision into policies sustained by appropriate structures, rules, and procedures. The study enquires into the intricacies of democratic consolidation in post-Soviet countries, amid constraining conditions stemming from deep-rooted authoritarian legacies.

Intangible cultural heritage as a resource for consolidating modern Ukrainian society

“…Overcoming its remnants has become one of the key points in the transformation processes of Ukrainian society. The Revolution of Dignity in 2014 became an indicator of increasing the level of democratic consolidation of society under the conditions of a number of economic, political, and social problems (Terzyan, 2020).…”

Fostering a Democratic Culture: Lessons for the Eastern Neighbourhood

“…A norm is seen to be internalised when there is a change in local discourse, values and behaviour (Baltag & Burmester, 2022;Delcour, 2021). Although the broader image of the EU as a model of democracy is largely accepted in the Eastern Neighbourhood at the societal and even the elite level, the general public do not necessarily embrace or internalise many liberal-democratic values such as equal rights for sexual minorities (Dandashly & Noutcheva, 2022;Terzyan, 2020;Kakachia et al, 2019). This is due in large part to a mix of socially conservative mores and attachment to traditional gender roles (Delcour, 2021).…”

“…Research on democratic consolidation in Ukraine finds that a key impediment to consolidation is lingering post-Soviet "informality"behavioural practices, such as tolerance of informal governance, the use of informal connections, the exchange of favours, and corruption (Terzyan, 2020). While it may be possible to introduce new legislation to counter corruption and to implement reforms, it can take a long time to counter a "culture of corruption" (Terzyan, 2020).…”

“…Research on democratic consolidation in Ukraine finds that a key impediment to consolidation is lingering post-Soviet "informality"behavioural practices, such as tolerance of informal governance, the use of informal connections, the exchange of favours, and corruption (Terzyan, 2020). While it may be possible to introduce new legislation to counter corruption and to implement reforms, it can take a long time to counter a "culture of corruption" (Terzyan, 2020). A study on Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia also finds that while the three countries now have pluralistic civil societies that are more pro-democratic than Russia, clientelist networks remain entrenched, corruption remains widespread, and civil society is not strong enough to help offset these conditions (Pospieszna et al, 2022).…”