Suchergebnisse

Kuzio, Taras: The opposition's road to success.- S.117-130 Way, Lucan A.: Kuchma's failed authoritarianism.- S. 131-145

The article critically surveys the impact of domestic public opinion on foreign policy in Ukraine by integrating it within theories of public opinion. Studies of public opinion in Ukraine have not given due weight to the unique characteristics of the Ukrainian 'public', which differs greatly from the Western public. Ukrainian society is passive, atomized and its power is 'submerged' relative to that of the state. The article argues that public opinion is of minimal importance in the area of foreign policy.

The article critically surveys the impact of domestic public opinion on foreign policy in Ukraine by integrating it within theories of public opinion. Studies of public opinion in Ukraine have not given due weight to the unique characteristics of the Ukrainian 'public,' which differs greatly from the Western public. Ukrainian society is passive, atomized, & its power is 'submerged' relative to that of the state. The article argues that public opinion is of minimal importance in the area of foreign policy. 67 References. Adapted from the source document.

Compares democratic development in the post-communist era, relations with Russia, and other issues; since 1991. Also available in French.

The history of national identities, nation building, & developmental paths for the contiguous states of Ukraine & Belarus is examined. Belarus has less of a history of independence prior to 1990 than did Ukraine, & Ukraine chose independence from Russia immediately. Belarus declared sovereignty in 1990, but failed to launch a referendum to legitimize this act, & continued to have political problems, eg, with the Communist Party. Ukrainian identity changed after independence, but few important indicators of identity in Belarus were altered. Ukraine has attempted to maximize its distance with Russia, even with negative economic consequences, but Belarus has ceded some autonomy to Russia for economic gain. Other differences in language, religion, & resources that have propelled the two states toward different domestic & foreign policies are discussed. 1 Appendix. M. Pflum