Donbas Conflict in Ukraine - Elites, Protest, and Partition

This book examines why, when the conflict in eastern Ukraine began in 2014, fighting broke out in the Donets'k region, whereas it did not in Kharkiv city, despite the city, like the Donets'k region, being geographically proximate to Russia and similar in ethnic and linguistic make up. Based on extensive original research, the book argues that a key factor was the nature and behaviour of local elites, with those in Kharkiv having diffuse ties to the centre and therefore being more capable of adapting to sudden, profound regime change at the centre, whereas the elites in the Donets'k region had much more concentrated ties to the centre, were dependent on one network, and therefore were much less able to cope with change. The book thereby demonstrates how crucial for Ukraine are patronal politics, patronage networks, and informal centre-region relations, and that it was these local political circumstances, rather than Russia, which brought about the conflict.

List of contents

Introduction 1. Explaining the Donbas conflict 2. Tools of Trade: The Methodology 3. Protest and Violence in Kharkiv and Donets'k, 2002 - 2014 4. Elites and Regional Patronage 5. Elites and Protest in Kharkiv and Donets'k, 2013 - 2014 Conclusion

About the author

Daria Platonova is a Researcher at King’s College London.

Summary

This book examines why, when the conflict in eastern Ukraine began in 2014, fighting broke out in the Donets’k region, whereas it did not in Kharkiv city, despite the city, like the Donets’k region, being geographically proximate to Russia and similar in ethnic and linguistic make up.

Product details

• Authors: Daria Platonova
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.05.2023
• EAN: 9781032101200
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3210120-0
• No. of pages: 272
• Series: BASEES/Routledge Series on Russian and East European Studies
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Ethnic Studies, Russia, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Research, HISTORY / World, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Statistics, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, Social research & statistics, Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe), USSR, Soviet Union, Social research and statistics, History of other geographical groupings and regions, History of other lands, HISTORY / Russia / Soviet Era, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General