National Liberation / Social Justice: Mykhailo Drahomanov’s 'Shevchenko, Ukrainophiles, and Socialism' (1878) Revised

• In Event: National-Liberational Projects in the Habsburg and Russian Empires: Socialism, Education, Language

Abstract

This paper examines Mykhailo Drahomanov’s essay “Shevchenko, Ukrainophiles and Socialism” (1878), focusing on the evolution of the author's views on the development of socialist ideas within the European and Russian imperial context. Drahomanov's essay marks a significant shift as he, for the first time, critically analyzes Taras Shevchenko's legacy from a historical standpoint, placing Shevchenko's poetry within the context of the poet's intellectual and political biography. Leveraging the works of Taras Shevchenko, Drahomanov introduces key concepts highlighting the fundamental distinctions between Russian, Ukrainian, and European socialist movements. Proposing his own ideological path for constructing Ukrainian socialism centered around the notion of “community,” Drahomanov asserts that Ukraine faces a formidable challenge. He argues that social liberation must align with national liberation, with a primary focus on promoting literacy among the broad layers of the Ukrainian population.

Author

• Galina Babak, U Konstanz (Germany) / Masaryk Institute and Archives CAS (Czech Republic)