by gomboreli » 17 Jan 2010, 07:22
Ukraine is the only country among the ex-Soviet republics (excluding the three Baltic States) that has qualified in the Freedom House list as a free country.
One may question the fairness of different index lists made by various organizations, but perhaps fierce debates are not applicable in this case. Based partially on its historic past and ethnic composition, Ukraine enjoys the most pluralistic political environment indeed.
Let’s take a glance at what’s happening around:
- In one country all the power has been handed over from father to son. The rumours say that the latter will sooner or later follow suit and thus strengthen the foundation of the existing ‘republican monarchy’;
- In three countries the outgoing presidents have found a representative inside the ruling clique itself which in fact guarantees their immunity from possible prosecution;
- Most republics are still run by Communist-era leaders who will rather keep clinging to power until their deaths. No wonder that the Brezhnevs of the XXI century similarly crush individual freedoms and abuse human rights;
- The world has also witnessed bitter power-struggles among the government clans which resulted in foreign-sponsored violent coups painted as coloured revolutions.
Although Ukraine may only partially fall into the last category, it has in general survived the similar destiny. While the above-mentioned Sultan look-alikes have usurped the whole power, strangled the courts, arrested, exiled or killed political opponents and clamped down on free media, Ukraine has promoted different values. The Rada has nothing to do with rubber-stamp Parliaments where robots sitting there vote for anything they are ordered from upwards. Fully reflecting pluralistic opinions existing outside the building, Ukrainian MPs are a solid force to be reckoned with both by PM or President. The former passes laws and carries out a thorough control over their implementation. Therefore, the government being formed by the majority of deputies is accountable to the Rada. President, too, wishing to initiate any law, has to deal with largely opponent MPs. The classic triangle of power characterizing the democracies has been established. Courts, too, can hardly be accused of providing a lackey service to either of the state institutions.
The Orange Revolution has the least grotesque image among the other so-called coloured revolutions, as the country has not launched regressive policy through repressive means. The political struggle has been contained within constitutional-institutional frames where the nation solely is to prolong or terminate the governing terms to its officials through the election. Leaders must be trying hard to win over the support: 16 years ago the first president who had signed the Declaration of Independence was denied the second term and was kicked out of office. No similar case has happened in any post-Soviet country where the outcome of elections is always well-known long before the actual voting day.
Despite some acid reality - the corruption is still widespread, the living standards are low - overall Ukraine has to be commended for her peaceful progress towards the liberal society. Whoever is elected, President is going to have a tough job as they usually don’t flourish with privileges in this country.
. Of course Africans would be better for you, they wont stop georgians from destroing s osetian people, same for others. Issue realy could be solved quik. but it didnt worked. 
