Up to today the realities in Post-Soviet space are defined by the search for state and national identity in contrast to the former peripheral existence during the Soviet past. From the very beginning of their independence the newly independent states were afflicted with different problems resulting from the ambiguous situation of quasi sovereignty but still strictly Moscow centralised rule. A regime change always demands great flexibility in ideas of these who have to deal with the remains of the past and the results of the breakdown in order to find an adequate approach to the new realities.
It is therefore not astonishing that in account to the various economic and social constraints in the different Newly Independent States, each was in search of its own way to deal with the problems of state-building, acceptance of the international community and Russia’s attempts to dominate the former sphere of influence.
The analysis will deal with the special case of Ukraine's emancipation from the USSR heritage and the historic dominance of an imperial Russia. The focus of analysis will be put on the processes of state-identity building in the framework of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), Western Europe and the EU, as well as the context of Russian foreign policy towards the ‘Near Abroad’. The subject is especially relevant today, since a wave of ‘colourful’ revolutions has taken place on the territories of some former Soviet republics in the past to years, showing that the political processes of forming a nation are still hard to predict in that region.
The important change that goes on in the former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, is the transition from the main foreign policy objective of the 1990s – either to escape from Russia or to stay. Now, the question seems to be: ‘Where to go?’. Ukraine, during the events of November-December 2004, the so-called “Orange Revolution”, seems to have chosen a new quality of nation state identity – the Euro-Atlantic orientation in the international arena.
In the following work, Ukrainian state identity building in the sphere of influence of two major world powers, the European Union and Russia, will be in the focus of social and political analysis. The approach is aiming at developing a better understanding of the Ukrainian situation which can be metaphorically be described as that of a “shock absorber” between Russia and the European Union (EU) in many perspectives.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Relevance
- Methodology of Analysis
- Ukraine after 1990 – Defining a Theoretical Approach to the State-Building Process
- Obstacles to the Applicability of a Realist Approach
- Feasibility of Institutionalist Thinking
- Constructivism as an Approach to State Building in Post-Soviet Space
- Constructivism and International Relations (IR) Theory
- Shaping National Identity - A Constructivist Approach
- Meanings of Constructivist Theory for Ukraine
- The Influence of Foreign Policy on State Identity-Building
- Ukrainian History - A Point to Start
- The Use of History as an Identity-Producing Instrument in Ukraine
- Religion and Cossack Culture under Pressure between East and West (10th to 17th Century)
- Commonness and Distinctiveness in Ukrainian-Russian Identity
- The 20th Century - Corner Stones for Ukrainian National Independence
- Conclusions from History
- Ukraine's Way to Statehood and National Identity Definition after 1991 - A Battle Field of European and Russian Interests
- Domestic Conditions for Developing a State Identity
- The Ethnic Composition of Ukraine as a Precondition for Nation-Building Considerations
- Dichotomy between Foreign Policy Orientations and Domestic Reforms
- Foreign Policy as an Instrument of Identity Building in Ukraine
- Development of the Political System and the Lack of Domestic Reorientation of Elites
- Impacts of Economic Conditions on the Identity Building Processes
- Security Constraints of Independent Ukraine in the 1990s
- The Influence of Ethnic Composition on State Identity and Political Preferences
- Obstacles to the "Zero-Option" Arrangement
- Conflicts over the Black Sea Fleet and Crimea
- The Nuclear Assets Crisis
- The Implications of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
- The Rationality of Ukrainian Defence Policy towards Russia
- The Implications of Regime Preference on Foreign Policy Objectives and Identity Building
- Perceptions and Reinterpretations of Historic Facts and their Implications for State Building Processes
- The Decision on Regime Type as a Precondition for Foreign Policy Decisions
- The World's Reluctance to take Ukrainian Developments Serious
- Ukraine in Search of New Alliances
- The Mainstreams of Foreign Policy Orientations in the Ukrainian Political Arena
- Schemes of Cooperation in Regional Structures
- Cooperation in International Security Structures
- The Theory of Foreign Policies' Integrative Impacts on Identity Building - Failure or Success
- Unexpected Bottom-up Democratisation in Ukraine and the Impacts on Foreign Relations
- Political Realities at the Dawn of Revolution
- Democratic Commitment of the Population
- Factors Accelerating the Possibility of Political Change
- Explanations for the Orange Revolution and its Problematic Outcomes
- Ukraine After Power Change - A Country of Political Unrest
- Domestic Crisis
- Internal Struggles in the Orange Coalition
- Struggles after Parliamentary Election of 2006
- Impact of the Energy Security Issue
- Transition from post-Soviet Legacy to New Democracy - A Stony Path to Integration
- The European Unions Interests and Influence on Developments in Ukraine
- Evolution of EU-Ukrainian Relations
- Security Aspects
- Assessment of EU-Ukrainian Cooperation and Agreements
- Impacts of EU Enlargement
- Economic Impacts
- Development of Cooperation
- The EU's Relations with the Ukrainian "Orange" Government
- The Action Plan (AP)
- The 10-Point Letter Amending the Action Plan
- Future Perspectives
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This analysis focuses on the intricate process of state identity building in Ukraine, specifically examining the country’s emancipation from its Soviet legacy and the historical dominance of Imperial Russia. The analysis explores the complex interplay of European and Russian influences on Ukraine's identity formation, navigating the country's aspirations for integration with the European Union and its historical and cultural ties with Russia. Key themes explored in the text include:- The impact of European Union integration on Ukraine's national identity
- The role of historical narratives and cultural influences in shaping Ukrainian identity
- The challenges of balancing European and Russian interests in Ukraine's state-building process
- The impact of the Orange Revolution on Ukrainian politics and foreign policy
- The influence of domestic factors, such as ethnic composition and economic conditions, on identity building
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the context for the analysis by highlighting the relevance of state identity building in post-Soviet states, particularly in Ukraine. It discusses the challenges faced by newly independent states in navigating their relationship with Russia and seeking international recognition. The chapter also outlines the methodology and scope of the analysis.
- Ukraine after 1990 – Defining a Theoretical Approach to the State-Building Process: This chapter explores various theoretical approaches to understanding state-building in post-Soviet contexts, with a specific focus on Ukraine. It examines the limitations of realist and institutionalist frameworks and argues for the applicability of constructivist theory, highlighting its capacity to capture the interplay of historical narratives, cultural influences, and foreign policy in shaping national identities.
- Ukrainian History - A Point to Start: This chapter delves into the historical context of Ukraine, examining the interplay of Eastern and Western influences in shaping its cultural and national identity. It highlights the use of history as an instrument for identity production in Ukraine and explores the shared and distinct elements of Ukrainian and Russian identities.
- Ukraine's Way to Statehood and National Identity Definition after 1991 - A Battle Field of European and Russian Interests: This chapter examines the domestic and international factors that shaped Ukraine's state-building process after its independence. It focuses on the country's ethnic composition, foreign policy orientations, economic conditions, and security constraints, exploring how these factors influenced the development of national identity and the country's relationship with both Europe and Russia.
- Unexpected Bottom-up Democratisation in Ukraine and the Impacts on Foreign Relations: This chapter analyzes the Orange Revolution, a pivotal event in Ukraine's political history. It explores the factors that led to the revolution, the implications of power change, and the challenges faced by Ukraine in transitioning from a post-Soviet legacy to a new democracy. The chapter also examines the impact of the revolution on Ukraine's foreign relations.
- The European Unions Interests and Influence on Developments in Ukraine: This chapter examines the evolution of EU-Ukrainian relations, highlighting the EU's role in supporting Ukraine's state-building process and fostering its integration with Europe. It discusses the security and economic implications of EU enlargement for Ukraine and explores the challenges and opportunities associated with EU-Ukrainian cooperation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This analysis centers on the complex interplay of state identity building, national identity formation, post-Soviet transitions, European integration, and Russian influence in Ukraine. The text examines key concepts such as constructivism, historical narratives, cultural influences, foreign policy, and domestic factors, highlighting their role in shaping Ukraine's national identity and its evolving relationship with Europe and Russia.- Quote paper
- MA in European Studies Alexandra Weber (Author), 2006, Europe's Influence on Ukrainian State Building - A Struggle for Identity between Europe and Russia , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/70854
