The contributors to this collection explore the multidimensional transformation of independent Ukraine and deal with her politics, society, private sector, identity, arts, religions, media, and democracy. Each chapter reflects the up-to-date research in its sub-discipline, is styled for use in seminars, and includes a bibliography as well as a recommended reading list. These studies illustrate the deep changes, yet, at the same time, staggering continuity in Ukraines post-Soviet development as well as various counter-reactions to it. All nine chapters are jointly written by two co-authors, one Ukrainian and one Western, who respond here to recent needs in international higher education. The volumes contributors include, apart from the editors: Margarita M. Balmaceda (Seton Hall University), Oksana Barshynova (Ukrainian National Arts Museum), Tymofii Brik (Kyiv School of Economics), José Casanova (Georgetown University), Diana Dutsyk (Kyiv-Mohyla Academy), Marta Dyczok (University of Western Ontario), Hennadii Korzhov (Kyiv Polytechnic Institute), Serhiy Kudelia (Baylor University), Pavlo Kutuev (Kyiv Polytechnic Institute), Olena Martynyuk (Columbia University), Oksana Mikheieva (Ukrainian Catholic University), Tymofii Mylovanov (University of Pittsburgh), Andrian Prokip (Ukrainian Institute for the Future), Oxana Shevel (Tufts University), Ilona Sologoub (Kyiv School of Economics), Maksym Yenin (Kyiv Polytechnic Institute), and Yuliya Yurchenko (University of Greenwich).
"This is a superb overview of the most important issues facing today's Ukraine, and of the history that underlies them. It skillfully charts Ukraine's journey from a Soviet republic to a truly independent electoral democracy. More importantly, it explains the attitudes behind the crucial question of Ukrainian identity, a complex and evolving set of issues that played a central role in Ukraine's rebellion against Russian domination and its rejection of ethnic nationalism in favor of multi-ethnic citizenship. This impressive volume reminds us of the difficult path that Ukraine continues to follow to meet the aspirations of its people, and of the true importance to all of us of Ukraine's future success in solidifying its sovereignty, democracy and independence. Eric S. Rubin, United States Ambassador to Bulgaria from 2016 to 2019