Neo-Patrimonialism as an Impediment to Economic Development: The Case of Ukraine

Abstract

Since the abolition of communism anti-modern tendencies have come to the fore in Ukrainian society. The vicious circle of underdevelopment in which Ukraine finds itself nowadays can be seen in the context of the incompatibility of neo-patrimonial society with the requirements of modern economic development. The deficiencies of a paralysing state should be seen in the context of a specific mode of interaction between state and society that allowed a patrimonial and predatory state to develop. Ukraine's economic decline and redistribution of resources brought about a revolution in social stratification that contributed further to the de-modernization of the country. Ukraine's development problem can be compared with that of typical Third World countries although Ukraine has some features that aggravates the situation, such as an over-powerful state.