Ukraine

UKRAINE, once commonly called “the Ukraine,” has experienced a variety of challenges as it has undertaken self-rule upon the collapse of the Soviet Union. Officially it enjoys a right-wing market economy rather than a state-controlled system. However, a case can be made that the defacto or real power remains in the hands of the left, those who believe in the need for a centralized government and a planned, state-run economy. That would be due to the fact that most of the wealth in Ukraine is controlled by former Soviet appointees and Communist Party faithful, who took advantage of economic reforms and emerged as entrepreneurs or “oligarchs,” acquiring considerable wealth and power during privatization as they became the owners of formerly state-owned industries and operations.

Ukraine has ...