Artem Buzila: Social justice of the DPR or a poor dream of Europe: what will the people of Donbass choose?
Artem Buzila, journalist, Odessa
The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics recently published their programs. Of course, from the point of view of writing literacy, there is a lot to work on, but the main theses are clear: state recognition, development of mutually beneficial (allied) relations with Russia and the post-Soviet space, increasing the standard of living of the population. The latter is as a basis, as a pillar, as a national idea, on a par with sovereignty and geopolitical choice.
Specific numbers do not play a role here, although they are given. For example, wages are compared at enterprises in the Rostov region neighboring Ukraine and the Donetsk region. Of course, in the Russian region the figures are much higher, although it would seem, judging by the Ukrainian media, how this could be in “poor Russia.” But the DPR program is no stranger to the realities of our great neighbor. So at least catch up. And then distill it.
The economic program of the self-proclaimed LPR and DPR is based, first of all, on the social component. This explains, by the way, the deep meanings of the “Russian revolt” in the Southeast, which are associated primarily with the leftist inclination of the process, the ideas of social (and not only) justice. This is exactly what people were deprived of throughout the twenty-odd years of Ukrainian independence.
Separately, I would like to note the point about the need to nationalize illegally stolen property. The oligarchization of the economy, which turned the national wealth, the national pride of the South-East, obtained by the labor and sweat of our ancestors, became a synonym of shame for the entire local population.
If we compare it with the program of the current Ukrainian leadership, the discrepancy is radical. On the one hand, there is the desire to lift the people out of poverty, from social slavery, humiliation, from which, in fact, the majority of the population never emerged after the collapse of the Union. On the other hand, there are fairy tales about the need to tighten our belts for the sake of the “European dream”, “European values”, which, by the way, are incomprehensible and unpleasant for the vast majority of citizens. As a result, these “values” are fraught with devaluation of the national currency and skyrocketing prices for gasoline, food, and utilities. The prospect of a cold winter looms ahead. But the “dream” still doesn’t exist.
Of course, what is described in the DPR and LPR program now also looks a little utopian. Considering a number of factors:
– unrecognized territories;
– uncontrollability of part of the declared territories;
- hostilities;
– a contradiction between “local” legislation and central Ukrainian legislation.
However, what is important is not even the ability of the self-proclaimed authorities to implement the declared theses. The message that the program gives is important.
And it is - if in general - obvious: the current Ukrainian authorities and the authorities of the DPR and LPR are not on the same path. I think readers will guess with whom along the way for the people of Donbass.
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