I am from Ukraine. If you don`t know, it is a quite big country in the Eastern Europe, that has borders with such big countries and Unions as Russia and the European Union.
During the 21-st century we have had several uprisings/revolutions - in 2004 and in 2014. The first one was peaceful with no casualties, but the second revolution was bloody - died more than 100 people and things were getting worse and worse...
First of all, a "friendly" country Russia decided to use weakness of Ukraine in 2014 and annexed the Crimean Peninsula - a big region. Moreover, Russia provoked a "little war" in other two Ukrainian regions - Donetsk and Luhansk. Now it looks like a civil war with some Russian forces on the side of anti-government rebels. Of course, it does not remind Syria, where all the country is destroyed, but still... Still people are dying here because of bullets.
But I wanted to write even not about this. I wanted to say, that even after imaginary "victories" of two revolutions Ukraine remains a corrupted country with a weak economy, bad roads and low salaries. And the main reason for this - the same system of governing, that remains after each revolution.
Every politician before been elected says: "You will live like angels in the Heaven", but after elections nobody remembers their promises.
In a bestselling book "Why nations fail" authors say that if you are not able to change the whole system of distribution of national wealth among all citizens, you will not change the situation in your country by any number of peaceful or bloody revolutions. Like examples they mention Mexico, other countries of Latin America, but I want to add to this list Ukraine too.
If you ever decide to change your country, don`t think about uprisings - think about systematical changes. At least small. It could have much better results.
Comments
Oi there,
To my humble knowledge, the European Union is not a country but a union of countries, moreover, Ukraine also borders with non union countries like Belarus and Moldova.
People who form a government do not come from anywhere and they haven't been unknown persons. Most of the time they have a political career behind them. Or they have a powerful financial background. The problem with most politicians is that they feel almighty after a short time. They lose the "grounding" and thus the knowledge or even the sense for what moves the majority of the inhabitants of their country and what they want and need. Politicians learn very quickly that their own advantage brings more. Man in himself is always a bit selfish and for politicians it is perfection.
If there are problems within a country, it's always easier to blame others for them.
Pointing out others as enemies is always a way to distract people from the real inner problems of the countries.
And also, I fully agree with you when you say "if you are not able to change the whole system of distribution of national wealth among all citizens, you will not change the situation in your country by any number of peaceful or bloody revolutions."
I just think it never ever will happen and so no one single revolution will bring the solution.
Very good blog, thanks for sharing.
Hi Alex, I perfectly agree with your suggestions at the end. Though I must say: be cautious or you easily might be pointed on as commie. No matter what sensible your idea of systemical change is.
Dear Alex,
Some of my foreign friends often ask me, What is going on in Ukraine?
You have just described all the situation in our country very well.
Totally agreed with you.