Trust and prejudice

By Ilona Sologub (Kyiv School of Economics)

One of the characters in a popular Soviet comedy (an incarnation of a “genuine Soviet person”) said: “I think people should be trusted only in extreme cases”. In this way the authors of the movie formulated one of the main principles of the Soviet state, which controlled and repressed its citizens instead of serving and protecting them. It seems that this view is still popular among the Ukrainian power “elite” which views “ordinary” people as their enemies rather than alliances – and therefore does not trust the society and is afraid of it. Under such conditions, it is hard to expect that people will trust the government. In the current situation, lack of mutual trust among the citizens and the government is especially dangerous since internal confrontation multiplies external shocks. At the same time, economic research shows that the level of trust in the society positively impacts economic prosperity. A few straightforward changes in the government policy could help to rebuild the trust.

Imploding DNR/LNR: Is it good for Ukraine?

By the Editorial Board of VoxUkraine

 

The intensity of the fighting in the East of Ukraine has subsided and the separatists are trying to establish parallel institutions in the territories under their control. The rebels intend to print their local currency, collect taxes, manage educational and healthcare institutions, nationalize or re-privatize enterprises, etc.

1. Will the rebels succeed in building their own institutions and can these institutions become better than those of Ukraine?
2. Is it in the interest of Ukraine to support or undermine such institution building in the occupied Donbas?