The causes of the Ukrainian crisis 2013-2014. Macrosociological interpretation
https://doi.org/10.31249/poln/2019.03.13
Abstract
The article is devoted to the case study of Ukraine 2014 as an example of state breakdown. To reveal some regularities in this process macrosociological theories were employed in the research. The crisis happened under the condition of weak state (in economic dimension) and intra-elite conflict. The conflict within the elite was caused by discontent due to Yanukovych politics which led to the depletion of wealth among the traditional elites and first of all among business groups. One else necessary condition for a state breakdown is mass mobilization. A preliminary analysis of the population welfare based on the official statistics does not demonstrate sources for mass dissatisfaction: incomes of the population were grown and that the inflation rate was at zero level. On closer examination of these dates, it turned out that there were lots of evidences that Ukraine had seen in 2010-2013 the population immiseration. The last condition for successful mass mobilization is mobilizing discourse. The discourse was directed against the postponed signing of the agreement on a European association which was carried forward by the disgruntled oligarchs and broadcasted through mass-media. The last part considers why Ukrainian oligarchs could exert influence on politics.
About the Author
D. S. Shevsky
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
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