Conclusion

Abstract

We have analyzed a number of trends in recent economic and ecological development in Ukraine, with emphasis upon the public input into the changes in national life. Arguably, the era of the Communist Party is approaching its close, although its roots are perhaps more deeply embedded in Ukrainian society than is often recognized. Ukraine, once a great industrial nation though only briefly an independent one, has been ruthlessly denuded of many of its valuable resources, including its agricultural land. In addition, a great accident at Chernobyl continues to have a major impact not only on the economy of Ukraine, but also on the population itself. Early in 1990, a reporter for The New York Times, who was making a rare visit to the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv prior to the elections to the local Soviets and Supreme Soviet, remarked on what she called “widespread apathy” in Ukraine. People, she felt, did not care what happened during the elections. Such comments have been repeated so often that they cannot be ignored. Is it really the case, that in an era of dynamic change, Ukrainians are too apathetic to take a more active role in it?