The public utilities war and corruption in Ukraine

Abstract

Non-payment of utility bills, evasion of payment through a variety of corruption schemes and fraud, and unauthorised shifting of the costs of utilities consumed are widespread in Ukraine among the public and businesses, often with the involvement of local and central government officials. This research is focused on the public default, its reasons and consequences for the defaulters, and on corruption in the public utilities. It is primarily based on interviews with experts, current and former employees of public utilities, and consumers. The findings have implications for the legitimisation of political power and economic reorientation, fairness and order in Ukraine, and the impact of corruption on the failing economic infrastructure.

Notes

1. ‘Bytovukha’ is a Russian-language slang term that originates from the word ‘byt’, which can be translated as everyday life or as a model of life. It defines a sphere of personal life outside the process of production, political or social participation, where the basic human functions are managed – those related to food, habitation, clothes, family and so on. ‘Bytovukha’ means a range of actions performed at home that are rather deviant or illegal and hidden from external view.