Ukraine is Unique

The lead article in today’s New York Times is a news analysis piece titled, “For Kremlin, Ukraine Vote Cuts Two Ways.” It describes the influence and reaction to the Ukraine presidential election in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

The election was favorable to Russia because its candidate, Viktor Yanukovich, won, but it also made Russia uncomfortable because of the fairness and openness of the process, unlike Russian elections since Vladimir Putin consolidated his power.

European monitors all praised the process while they typically decry elections in Russia. In my opinion, it shows the power of democratic systems to affect change, to allow a change in ruling elites without resorting to violence.

So, in essence, the Orange Revolution in Ukraine succeeded, even though, ironically, their rulers had to be voted out to cement that success.

The election also offers hope to Ukraine’s neighbors in Eastern Europe and the possibility of escaping the orbit of the former Soviet Union to establish their own polity, culture and governance.

The article notes there have been recent signs of rebellion in Russia against Vladimir Putin’s “consolidated” system, and the Ukranian election may even foster more open elections there, even if the Ukranian model isn’t followed exactly. It’s hard to give the people a taste of democracy and then take it away, and Russia now finds itself in that situation.