The EuroMaidan Revolution, which ended President Viktor Yanukovych’s rule in 2104, and the landslide election five years later of President Volodomyr Zelensky are proof of the existence of a unique and continuing national narrative towards the transformation of Ukrainian society into a stable and democratic state. Such a nation is based on the principles of individual and economic freedom and the resolve of the Ukrainian people to live in a free society.
In retrospect, the Maidan was the beginning of a national project towards political freedom and economic self-determination. If anything, it was a catalyst within Ukrainian civil society to redefine what type of society it wants to become.
The overwhelming mandate attained by Zelensky throughout all regions of the country, and 73 percent overall of the vote, was an overwhelming expression of national resolve and unification of purpose to this end.
The electorate voted for the creation of an economic environment that would act as a foundation for economic growth which would raise their daily standard of living. Put rather simply, Ukrainians, are just plain sick of being poor.
They want to see the establishment of a free society inspired by fairness and social equality and demand a new order and daily reality founded upon rules-based criteria.
They are enamored with an expectation that the role of government is to serve the people and not clannish self-interest.
Put most simply, they want their children to have the opportunity to earn a decent living and for them to stay in the country of their birth.
Such desires are not populist, but the authentic desires of a politically astute and engaged populace whose expectations are the same as in any European democratic country.
This new opportunity, determined and defined by such an electoral mandate, must be taken advantage of because the unity of purpose is the bulwark against Ukraine’s antagonists, who continually seek ways to keep Ukrainian society fragmented and weak.
The challenge before the new presidential administration is to translate this electoral authority into a creation of an atmosphere of ‘inclusion’, a cognizant and deliberate effort at forging a societal and national agreement, much as Israel has done, through the creation of a rules-based society that is guided by individual responsibility, a committed desire to invest in the country, and in creating a harmonious and peaceful society that is the foundation of a free market system.
Ukraine will only economically prosper and thrive as a stable and democratic state if its people are convinced that their future familial life can be found in a Ukraine that is based on the rule of law, a sense of the possibility of individual justice and fairness, and in the belief that they will have equal access to economic opportunities to pursue their individual and their family’s economic ambitions.
Since the Maidan, an exodus of approximately over 2 million young people have left Ukraine because they feel that they cannot earn an adequate living wage according to their talent and ambition.
In many ways, this is an indictment of the direction of Ukrainian society, both in terms of societal development towards a “free society’ in civic and economic life.
This exodus, or brain drain, from the still decaying corpse of Ukrainian societal life, defined by a ‘theft is prosperity’ mentality will only stop if a compelling case to Ukraine’s citizens that their families can experience similar economic opportunities and norms, such as America, Canada, and the European Union, is made and illustrated through clear transforming legislative acts and practical actions.
For this to be accomplished, it will necessitate an expert communicative declaration of an egalitarian economic vision and an expression of political courage of the new Zelensky team, that will not only convince Ukrainians to remain home and build a prosperous Ukraine, but that will empower a new generation of politicians, government bureaucrats and civic activists to transform the political, economic, and civic culture of Ukraine.
The expression of a unified national resolve towards these fundamental goals is essential at this time in Ukraine’s public discourse. The country’s unity is paramount and a pronouncement of the nation’s values set must be articulated.
This can be done by adopting and inserting a Bill of Values into the Constitution that would ensure that while the laws of Ukraine may change, it is the dignity of Ukrainians that must be paramount, dignity-based in the confidence to resist bribes, graft. and illegal behavior. Such an expression most become the cherished definition of what it means to be a citizen of Ukraine.
For Ukraine and its people to move forward as a unified nation, it needs to make a public pledge of solidarity towards an agreed to set of values: a Ukrainian Gettysburg address.
