In early 2014 sparked by an assault by their government on peaceful students Ukrainians rose
up against a deeply corrupt Moscow-backed regime. Initially demonstrating under the banner of
EU integration the Maidan protesters proclaimed their right to a dignified existence they
learned to organize to act collectively to become a civil society. Most prominently they
established a new Ukrainian identity: territorial inclusive and present-focused with powerful
mobilizing symbols.Driven by an urban bourgeoisie that rejected the hierarchies of industrial
society in favor of a post-modern heterarchy a previously passive post-Soviet country
experienced a profound social revolution that generated new senses: Dignity and fairness became
rallying cries for millions. Europe as the symbolic target of political aspiration gradually
faded but the impact (including on Europe) of Ukraine's revolution remained. When Russia
invaded-illegally annexing Crimea and then feeding continuous military conflict in the Donbas-
Ukrainians responded with a massive volunteer effort and touching patriotism. In the process
they transformed their country the region and indeed the world.This book provides a chronicle
of Ukraine's Maidan and Russia's ongoing war and puts forth an analysis of the Revolution of
Dignity from the perspective of a participant observer.
