The aim of this paper is to find out the major changes in interests of the Ukrainian society and how they determined party preferences. Therefore it will not only analyse parliamentary elections but also presidential elections. The presidential – parliamentary system of Ukraine (until 2005), with crucial powers of the president is determining presidential elections as important, even if parties itself play a less important role than candidates. Change of interests also can be visible by voting for one or another candidate at least for major cleavages in the society. Presidential elections also normally work for the consolidation of party competition (Harasymiw 2002).
The first part of this work will lay the theoretical ground for the analyses of voter preferences in Ukraine. It will deal with a generalization of interest building theory and a more closer view on transforming post-communist societies. Furthermore it will present two concepts which are important in explaining the interconnection between society and political interests. The first concept deals with class inequalities as base for class specific interest and voting behaviour. But this concept cannot give enough explanation for the case of Ukraine, due to its special political development in general and its different historical experience during Soviet times. Therefore I will present a second concept; the concept of cleavages. It is more genereal in describing the connections between specific interest and voter preferences and therefore more useful than the former concept.
In the second part of this paper I will analyse the parliamentary and presidential elections of Ukraine until 2006. Therefore I will describe important surroundings, present the results and analyse the major cleavages or interest groups.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Interest building - a „democratic class struggle”
- The change of interests in post communist transformation countries
- Socio- structural change in post- communist systems and impacts on party preferences
- The first general elections in independent Ukraine- contradictory voter's choice in 1994 presidential and parliamentary elections
- Results and major cleavages
- Presidential elections- a different choice
- The parliamentary elections 1998- no convergence in the center and Kuchma's second success in 1999 presidential elections
- Reasons for the status quo
- Parliamentary elections 2002- the emergence of the democratic center
- Why voters moved to the center
- Victory for the democratic opposition in the presidential race 2004
- Choice for the democratic reformist transformation
- The first truly free elections of Ukraine
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the major changes in the interests of Ukrainian society and how these changes influenced party preferences. It analyzes both parliamentary and presidential elections in Ukraine since 1994. The paper explores the factors contributing to voter choice and the evolution of party systems in a post-communist context. Key themes include:- The role of socio-structural change in shaping voter preferences
- The evolution of interests in post-communist societies
- The influence of different theoretical perspectives on interest formation, including class conflict, liberalism, and the Weberian approach
- The impact of presidential and parliamentary elections on political dynamics in Ukraine
- The role of cleavages and interest groups in determining voting patterns
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The introduction outlines the paper's objective to analyze the dynamics of voter preferences in Ukraine, focusing on the interplay between societal interests and party choices. It highlights the significance of both presidential and parliamentary elections in shaping the Ukrainian political landscape.
- Interest building - a „democratic class struggle”: This chapter examines theoretical frameworks for understanding interest formation in post-communist societies. It discusses the concept of "democratic class struggle," where socio-economic structures shape electoral behavior. The chapter also considers alternative perspectives, including liberalism and the Weberian approach, emphasizing the dynamic nature of interests and their articulation within political systems.
- The change of interests in post communist transformation countries: This chapter delves into the specific challenges of interest building in post-communist societies undergoing transformation. It examines the processes of interest destruction, preservation, and emergence following the collapse of the Soviet system. The chapter analyzes the impact of privatization, the rise of private enterprises, and the abolition of social and economic regulations on the formation of new interests and the adaptation of old ones.
- Socio- structural change in post- communist systems and impacts on party preferences: This chapter explores the link between socio-structural change and shifts in party preferences. It argues that changes in social structures lead to changes in interests, which, in turn, influence voting behavior. The chapter highlights the role of individual and collective responses to socio-economic transformations in shaping political preferences.
- The first general elections in independent Ukraine- contradictory voter's choice in 1994 presidental and parliamentary elections: This chapter examines the first general elections in independent Ukraine, focusing on the complex and often contradictory choices made by voters in the 1994 presidential and parliamentary elections. It analyzes the factors that shaped voter behavior, including historical context, political landscape, and emerging societal interests.
- Results and major cleavages: This chapter examines the results of the 1994 presidential and parliamentary elections, analyzing key cleavages and interest groups that influenced voter decisions. It explores how these electoral outcomes reflected the evolving social and political landscape of Ukraine.
- Presidential elections- a different choice: This chapter examines the presidential elections of 1999, focusing on the strategic choices made by voters in the context of a consolidating party system and the emergence of key political actors. It explores the factors that contributed to the second presidential victory of Leonid Kuchma.
- The parliamentary elections 1998- no convergence in the center and Kuchma's second success in 1999 presidential elections: This chapter delves into the 1998 parliamentary elections, focusing on the lack of a consolidated center and its impact on the political landscape. It also explores the factors that contributed to Kuchma's second presidential victory in 1999.
- Reasons for the status quo: This chapter examines the factors contributing to the relative stability and lack of significant change in Ukrainian politics, particularly in the context of the presidential and parliamentary elections.
- Parliamentary elections 2002- the emergence of the democratic center: This chapter analyzes the 2002 parliamentary elections, focusing on the emergence of a democratic center and its implications for the political landscape. It explores the factors contributing to this shift in voter preferences.
- Why voters moved to the center: This chapter examines the reasons behind the growing support for the democratic center, analyzing the changing needs and priorities of Ukrainian voters in the early 2000s.
- Victory for the democratic opposition in the presidential race 2004: This chapter examines the 2004 presidential election, focusing on the victory of the democratic opposition. It analyzes the factors that contributed to the opposition's success and the implications of this outcome for the future of Ukrainian politics.
- Choice for the democratic reformist transformation: This chapter delves into the implications of the 2004 presidential election results for Ukraine's future. It examines the choices made by Ukrainian voters and the prospects for a democratic reformist transformation.
- The first truly free elections of Ukraine: This chapter reflects on the 2004 presidential election as a landmark event, marking the beginning of a new era of democratic development in Ukraine.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research paper focuses on the analysis of voter choice in Ukraine's presidential and parliamentary elections since 1994. Key themes include: post-communist transformation, interest building, socio-structural change, party preferences, cleavages, interest groups, and electoral dynamics. The paper explores the interplay between societal interests, political developments, and the evolution of party systems in a post-Soviet context.- Quote paper
- M.A. Nico Rausch (Author), 2007, Voter’s choice in Ukraine’s Presidential and Parliamentary Elections since 1994, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/115835
