A Perspective on the Current Situation in Ukraine

By Roger Myerson (University of Chicago, 2007 Nobel Prize Winner)

In the Ukrainian crisis today, the important question is whether Ukraine will have an  opportunity to develop as a sovereign democratic nation. Questions about extensions of international alliances may be a dangerous distraction from this vital point.

Since the end of the Soviet era, the development of democracy in Ukraine has been frustrated by a unique and perverse form of constitutional centralization. Ukraine's constitution gives the president the power to appoint and dismiss all local governors. Such presidential power over local officials is extremely unusual among parliamentary democracies. This centralized control of local government has exacerbated regional tensions and hindered the development of trusted democratic leadership in Ukraine.

Democracy is about voters having a choice among alternative candidates who are trusted to exercise power responsibly. When such trusted leadership is lacking, democracy is inevitably disappointing and fragile. Although a presidential election can give prestige to its winner, it does nothing to develop the broader supply of trusted alternative candidates on which the success of democracy will ultimately depend.