Globalization: The Case of Ukraine
Victoria Mukha, Ukraine
Globalization is a relatively recent phenomenon that has an enormous influence on the future of our planet. It elicits contradictory reactions from economists, politicians, scientists and ordinary people. In addition to its benefits, globalization has dangers and risks. It is responsible for environmental problems, the population explosion, extreme poverty, mass unemployment, etc.
But what does globalization mean for different countries? Most commentators agree that two types of globalization are underway in today’s world. One of them (the only one, according to many) is Westernization or rather the imposition of Western norms, values and advances in science and technology as the only recipe for survival in the modern world.
However, there is a different type of globalization that is often overlooked – one centred in a local, indigenous civilization. Large countries such as Russia, China and India are the centres of powerful processes of integration. These countries maintain economic and cultural relations with at least twenty to thirty countries around them. In their cases, we are witnessing a discernible, but different, form of the globalization phenomenon.
Ukraine must choose which globalization path to take. As recently as 2004 it seemed to be stuck in a transition phase far behind the developed nations, and the prospect of ‘entering the global community’ seemed utopian. Ukraine’s profile in the international arena was very modest and few people beyond the former Soviet space were aware of its existence – a state of affairs at odds with its central position on the geopolitical map of Europe and the world.
The events of the Orange Revolution in December 2004 opened up new opportunities not only for Ukraine but for neighbouring states as well. The Ukrainian people captured the world’s imagination with their struggle to find a decent place for their country in the ‘international community of nations’. At the same time, the Orange Revolution highlighted the problem of conflicting attitudes towards Russia, the EU and the USA and their role in the civilizational development of Ukraine.
Ukraine can enter economic and political associations in Eastern Europe. But it must do so with its own strategy and according to its interests. Ukraine has the opportunity to represent the interests of universal globalization in the local civilizational globalization that has Russia at its centre. This is not wishful thinking nor is it simply Ukrainian patriotism. Historically, Ukraine has always been a vehicle of Western influence in Eastern Europe.
Consider the following. In the 17th century Petro Mohyla developed the idea of synthesizing Eastern and Western cultures. This concept served as a stepping-stone for Feofan Prokopovych, the most dynamic ideologist behind Peter the Great’s (1672-1725) reforms in Russia. Major intellectual currents, such as Western (and particularly Italian) humanism, passed through Ukraine. Representatives of the early Renaissance were active in Ukraine. Mohyla, Prokopovych, Kozachynsky, Matviy Yavorsky and others studied at the Vatican or at Western universities; Mohyla, for example, studied at the same college as Descartes. They brought humanism to Ukraine in particular and Eastern Europe in general. Thus, Eastern Europe became exposed to the Reformation primarily because of the links between the Kyiv Mohyla Academy and the Halle School of Pietism in Germany. Major philosophical and scientific concepts passed through Ukraine, including the ideas of Copernicus. The first translations of the earliest, and most important, works of Hegel, Kant and Schelling were published in Ukraine.
Ukraine today has a chance to reclaim its historical mission as a vehicle of Western ideas to the East and the local civilizational region centring on Russia. However, this must not come at the expense of its relations with the rest of the world. For a country such as Ukraine globalization is a great temptation and a great risk as well. Ukraine does not have any alternative to universal globalization, because in the modern world isolation means backwardness and underdevelopment. The challenge is to find and occupy our niche in this globalizing world.
Ukraine has a highly advantageous geopolitical location, which it must exploit fully. Currently, the Ukrainian economy is completing the first stage of its transition to stabilization, establishing the legal and institutional framework of an open market-oriented system. The main challenge now is to consolidate these hard-won gains and deepen the process of structural reform, thereby providing solid foundations for sustained growth and improved living standards. Leading international financial and economic institutions – the IMF, the World Bank and EU bodies – want to help us move from stagnation to engagement with the outside world.
Success in this enterprise depends on taking advantage of opportunities and on a pragmatic approach in foreign affairs. Ukraine must pursue consistent, strategically predictable policies in the interests of its people. In this connection, integration with Europe is the foundation for addressing key priorities such as strengthening national security, ensuring economic progress, consolidating democratic values and human rights, and conducting an efficient regional foreign policy. It is important also to encourage international cooperation in science, culture and education, and in particular the participation of Ukrainian intellectual and creative circles in common regional and global projects.
The developed world would like to see a strong Ukraine, one that is an integral member of the international community. For its part, Ukraine must do all it can to meet the challenges of transition and become a valued and constructive player. Ultimately, our fate depends on us. If we take advantage of our opportunities, we will benefit greatly – and so will others.