Roundtable “Lessons of Democracy: World Practice for Ukraine”

On 13 July 2007, the International Centre for Policy Studies presented the results of a project called “Lessons of Democracy: World Practice for Ukraine”.

During the meeting, ICPS experts presented a compendium of articles designated to make Ukrainian policy makers and the general public familiar with Western democracy by using coalitions, oppositions, cohabitations, primaries, lobbying and the delegation of power.

Recent Ukrainian events revealed government institutions’ unavailability to work in a highly competitive political environment. Impetuous democratic transformations are spontaneous and disorganized. Yet, we are going through a process similar to those of other countries. Free political competition does exist in Ukraine. The system of checks and balances guarantees a distribution of power. However, an acute problem has arisen from quite and intensive, though spontaneous and disorganized, democratic transformations within the state.

Democratic freedoms that lack rules and regulations convert freedom into self-will. Instead of the rule of law, it’s the survival of the fittest. In addition, the public management system is inefficient.

Which state institutions have to function in a highly competitive environment? Which democratic procedures help the government work more effectively? What is needed to ensure a stable political situation in the country?

The lack of clear answers to these questions has become a serious challenge for Ukraine. ICPS’ project covers the best examples of developed democracies’ experience and the functioning of political institutes in particular. The project was designed to show how these institutes should function in order to enable free political competition and increase the effectiveness of government management.

The presentation of the results of “Lessons of Democracy: World Practice for Ukraine” will be held at ICPS’ third roundtable, a part of the campaign for fostering the democratization of Ukraine.