This book views the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity from a broad systemic perspective as an
ongoing process in which societal economic political and institutional developments are
intertwined. The Euromaidan and further developments especially the Russian aggression
accelerated the westward reorientation of the economy strengthened institutional checks and
balances (for instance through decentralization) changed the main social cleavage from an
ethnolinguistic one to a division between urban creative and oligarchic classes reshaped
identity towards formation of a political nation and increased the role of modernizing forces
especially civil society. However so far the Revolution has failed to bring about despite
some progress a critical mass of changes regarding the rule of law while much of the economy
remains rent-oriented. If modernizing forces are prudently managed Ukraine has a chance to
move forward on an evolutionary path. Otherwise new conflicts are possible.
