Shifting Civilizational Borders in Orange Ukraine: Dilemmas and Opportunities for Western Diplomacy

In: International journal / Canadian Institute of International Affairs, Band 61, Heft 1, S. 161-178

Abstract

Challenges a key element of Samuel Huntington's religion-based argument concerning the "clash of civilizations" situated between the Christian West & orthodox Eastern Europe within Ukraine. Huntington is demonstrably incorrect in holding that Ukrainians only in the nation's western region constitute a base for a national democratization movement & pro-European politics. Rather, these movements & preferences were endorsed by several religious & ethnic groups, including Russians, in central & eastern Ukraine. Similar patterns in the Ukrainian economy, educational system, & culture both impel & express broad social changes & indicate increasing agreement about national & European values. K. Coddon