The Weakness of Civil Society in Ukraine: A Mechanism-Based Explanation

Kseniia Gatskova and Maxim Gatskov

No 323, Working Papers from Leibniz Institut für Ost- und Südosteuropaforschung (Institute for East and Southeast European Studies)

Abstract: This study explores the determinants of the low level of civic engagement in Ukraine. Applying the methodological framework of analytical sociology we consider different social mechanisms that explain the weakness of Ukrainian civil society. First, we discuss how the political system and economic performance of the country shape beliefs, values and motives of people by creating the context for their actions. Second, we focus on different aspects of people’s experience during the Soviet times to rule out a number of hypotheses concerning unwillingness of citizens to join formal voluntary organizations. Using the results of the individual-level data analysis we show that the specific features of the Homo Sovieticus “socio-cultural type”, such as passivity towards management of the own life, absence of political identification, and reliance on informal networks affect negatively the propensity of people to be members of civic organizations. These effects are complemented by the negative impact of post-Soviet transformation disappointment and subjective perception of low social status. Based on the results of analyses we formulate suggestions oncerning possible ways to foster the civil society development in Ukraine.

Pages: 36
Date: 2012-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-soc and nep-tra
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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