The people of Ukraine have sacrificed loss of life, torture, and
bodily injuries to give their country a second chance. If Ukraine
returns to its normal state of dysfunctionality, corruption, and
instability, these sacrifices will have been for nothing.
Yes, Ukraine must focus on its immediate financial crisis and counter Russian machinations and threats, but its fate hinges on, to use hackneyed phrases, the creation of a rule of law and a stable democracy. Ukraine’s political elite and bureaucrats, of all political persuasions, have shown themselves incapable of these tasks in the past. Ukraine must turn to new and young leaders – patriots not politicians — willing to follow guidance and discipline from their neighbors to the West.
The now-quarter-century history of transition from one-party communist rule to democratic capitalism draws an unmistakable dividing line between success and failure. No former Soviet republic, with the exception of the three Baltic States, can claim success. In contrast, the communist satellite nations of central and southeastern Europe either have made successful transitions to democracy and rule of law or are on course to do so. They share one common feature: They have become (or are scheduled to become) members of the EU. The requirement to follow Europe’s rules of the game has been their motor of success.
The Ukrainian people, even in the “Russian” East and South, clearly understand that the EU carries the promise of a “civilized” life in place of the corruption, illegality, and arbitrariness under which they lived since independence. All Ukraine prefers a European to a Russian life.
The Yanukovich regime did not invent dysfunctional rule, but rather carried it to its extreme. It rejected association status with the EU not because of Putin’s bribes but because Yanukovich understood that Europe would not tolerate the corrupt and anti-democratic nature of his regime. Joining the EU would have spelled the end of his political career.
Ukraine’s path is clear for those wishing it success. It must concentrate on joining the EU as quickly as the accession process allows. For its part, the EU must provide all possible assistance to expedite Ukraine’s accession. Mobilizing EU members to this task will not be easy given the consensus nature of decision making. The EU should not waste its time trying to draw in Russia as a cooperative partner. Putin clearly has another agenda.
Read more: Forbes: Europe And New Leaders Are Ukraine's Only Salvation
Yes, Ukraine must focus on its immediate financial crisis and counter Russian machinations and threats, but its fate hinges on, to use hackneyed phrases, the creation of a rule of law and a stable democracy. Ukraine’s political elite and bureaucrats, of all political persuasions, have shown themselves incapable of these tasks in the past. Ukraine must turn to new and young leaders – patriots not politicians — willing to follow guidance and discipline from their neighbors to the West.
The now-quarter-century history of transition from one-party communist rule to democratic capitalism draws an unmistakable dividing line between success and failure. No former Soviet republic, with the exception of the three Baltic States, can claim success. In contrast, the communist satellite nations of central and southeastern Europe either have made successful transitions to democracy and rule of law or are on course to do so. They share one common feature: They have become (or are scheduled to become) members of the EU. The requirement to follow Europe’s rules of the game has been their motor of success.
The Ukrainian people, even in the “Russian” East and South, clearly understand that the EU carries the promise of a “civilized” life in place of the corruption, illegality, and arbitrariness under which they lived since independence. All Ukraine prefers a European to a Russian life.
The Yanukovich regime did not invent dysfunctional rule, but rather carried it to its extreme. It rejected association status with the EU not because of Putin’s bribes but because Yanukovich understood that Europe would not tolerate the corrupt and anti-democratic nature of his regime. Joining the EU would have spelled the end of his political career.
Ukraine’s path is clear for those wishing it success. It must concentrate on joining the EU as quickly as the accession process allows. For its part, the EU must provide all possible assistance to expedite Ukraine’s accession. Mobilizing EU members to this task will not be easy given the consensus nature of decision making. The EU should not waste its time trying to draw in Russia as a cooperative partner. Putin clearly has another agenda.
Read more: Forbes: Europe And New Leaders Are Ukraine's Only Salvation
No comments:
Post a Comment