Current Events
by Amy Austin
The Ukraine:
Times of Change
...for Class Afloat News, April 28, 1997
For almost an entire century the Ukraine longed to be free from the political and economic rule of the Soviet Union. In 1991, they finally received complete independence. Unfortunately, Ukrainians were forced to learn the same lesson that many peoples have learned before them—freedom does not necessarily bring immediate happiness.
When a country changes from a communist government to a democratic government, more aspects of the culture change than just politics; there also must be a change in the economic system. It often takes a new government time to figure out the best methods to make change. Meanwhile, there can be quite a bit of suffering among the citizens as these issues get sorted out.
By the end of 1995, its fourth year of independence, the Ukraine government was broke. Eighty percent of the cultural houses that once provided entertainment in small towns were forced to close. Students were given an extra-long winter vacation because there was no money to heat schools. Professors, teachers, and doctors have been forced to live on little or no pay for long periods of time. And many peasants working on farms cannot remember the last time they received money for their work. Many high school students have dropped out of school so that they can work to help support their families. Almost three quarters of the population only earn $25 US a month.
Even though the majority of the public make less and less money, prices continue to rise. Imagine going to the grocery store tomorrow and seeing that a loaf of bread now costs $6, and you will understand what it is like to live in the Ukraine. Understandably, many Ukrainians are very discouraged. They thought that once they received freedom from the Soviet Union their lives would get better, not worse. But in some ways life has gotten better. Until 1991 no Ukrainian ever had voted freely in an election. Although they may not be happy with the conditions they live under currently, at least they now have the freedom to vote for those who can work to make their lives better.