Alexander J. Motyl: Decentralizing government power is key to reforming Ukraine
A farmer grazes his cows in front of a football stadium under construction in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on June 7, 2011. One year before it hosts the biggest event in its two decades of independence, Ukraine is finally showing signs it is ready for the European football championships despite delays and a string of scandals.Poland and Ukraine will co-host the 2012 European Football Championship.
It’s not surprising that Kyiv’s convoluted politics color what we think about Ukraine and its future prospects. But don’t let the turmoil in Kyiv obscure the hopeful developments taking place in Ukraine’s provinces. Take agricultural reform. As Kyiv’s policymakers squawk and squabble, real Ukrainians have to live real lives. And they do, frequently developing innovative new schemes that qualify as no less important reforms than those contemplated and adopted in the capital.
