Ukraine Is Not Russia: Comparing Youth Political Activism

Ukraine and Russia began to take different transition trajectories during Vladimir Putin's first term and Leonid Kuchma's second term in office, 2000–2004. The former has taken Russia toward an authoritarian system, with a rubber stamp parliament, pliant media, imprisoned or exiled oligarchs, harassed NGOs and marginalized pro-Western, democratic parties. Since the 2000 Kuchmagate crisis and 2004 Orange Revolution, Ukraine has taken a democratic path away from what has become the CIS authoritarian norm. Ukraine held its first free and fair elections in 2006, its media are now free, and the move toward a parliamentary system will bring future dividends for democratization. Russia's Eurasian, autocratic path and Ukraine's European, democratic path are both backed by public opinion. Ukrainians support democracy as the best form of government, while Russians blame democracy for the country's ills during the 1990s and are willing to trade it for autocratic great power status. The youth in both countries reflect these preferences.