From “the Ukraine” to Ukraine: A Contemporary History, 1991 - 2021

The contributors to this collection explore the multidimensional transformation of independent Ukraine and deal with her politics, society, private sector, identity, arts, religions, media, and democracy. Each chapter reflects the up-to-date research in its sub-discipline, is styled for use in seminars, and includes a bibliography as well as a recommended reading list. These studies illustrate the deep changes, yet, at the same time, staggering continuity in Ukraine’s post-Soviet development as well as various counter-reactions to it. All nine chapters are jointly written by two co-authors, one Ukrainian and one Western, who respond here to recent needs in international higher education.

You may purchase a copy from ibidem-Verlag, Columbia University Press, or Amazon.

Introduction: From “the Ukraine” to “Ukraine”

Mykhailo Minakov, Georgiy Kasianov, and Matthew Rojansky

Chapter 1: Ukraine’s Political Development after Independence

Serhiy Kudelia and Georgiy Kasianov

Chapter 2: The Development of Ukraine’s Private Sector

Tymofiy Mylovanov and Ilona Sologoub

Chapter 3: Class Divisions and Social Inequality in Independent Ukraine

Yuliya Yurchenko, Pavlo Kutuev, Maksym Yenin, and Hennadii Korzhov

Chapter 4: The Development of Ukraine’s Energy Sector

Margarita Balmaceda and Andrian Prokip

Chapter 5: Ukraine’s Media: A Field Where Power Is Contested

Diana Dutsyk and Marta Dyczok

Chapter 6: Ukrainian Art of the Independence Era: Transitions and Aspirations

Oksana Barshynova and Olena Martynyuk

Chapter 7: Thirty Years of Religious Pluralism in Ukraine

Tymofii Brik and José Casanova

Chapter 8: The Development of National Identities in Ukraine

Oksana Mikheieva and Oxana Shevel

Chapter 9: Democracy in Ukraine

Mykhailo Minakov and Matthew Rojansky

"This is a superb overview of the most important issues facing today's Ukraine, and of the history that underlies them.  It skillfully charts Ukraine's journey from a Soviet republic to a truly independent electoral democracy.  More importantly, it explains the attitudes behind the crucial question of Ukrainian identity, a complex and evolving set of issues that played a central role in Ukraine's rebellion against Russian domination and its rejection of ethnic nationalism in favor of multi-ethnic citizenship.  This impressive volume reminds us of the difficult path that Ukraine continues to follow to meet the aspirations of its people, and of the true importance to all of us of Ukraine's future success in solidifying its sovereignty, democracy and independence.”

—Eric S. Rubin, United States Ambassador to Bulgaria from 2016 to 2019

“The definite article that first appears and then disappears in the title of this volume signifies the transition of a post-Soviet republic into an independent state and a sovereign nation. How it happened, what the challenges are that Ukraine faces today and what lies ahead is explained with authority, balance, and precision by some of the leading experts in the field. To anyone who wants to understand the country in the midst of the most profound international crisis of the last decade this is a must read.”

—Serhii Plokhy, Harvard University, author of The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine

“An innovative, collaboratively-written, interdisciplinary contemporary history of Ukraine that not only embraces but encourages a refreshing diversity of viewpoints. Ukraine’s dynamism is on full display.”

—Rory Finnin, Professor at University of Cambridge

"This timely book takes stock of Ukraine’s political, economic, social, and cultural development since 1991. It does so in an unconventional way: each chapter is the result of an exchange between a scholar based in Ukraine and a scholar based at a Western institution. The result is a lively dialogue within and across chapters, weaving together empirical richness and conceptual reflection. The Kennan Institute has provided the setting for this dialogue to take place. The book combines an introduction to the study of Ukraine with an assertion of the country’s political significance and a map for future research. It will be an important source of reference for scholars, policy-makers, and a wider interested public.”

—Prof. Gwendolyn Sasse, University of Oxford and Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS)