The Influence of Soviet Heritage on the Development of the Ukrainian Economy

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

Ukrainian society and economy are currently facing significant challenges. The country’s position in the global economy and its participation in international value chains are shaped by a complex set of historical factors, which present obstacles to further development. The characteristics of the economy and the behavior of economic agents have persisted throughout time and remain relevant today. While there is extensive literature on the theory and practice of transforming economic systems, the specific features of post-communist transformation in countries like Ukraine have not been thoroughly examined. Understanding Ukraine's case is crucial for grasping the role that historical memory plays in social development. A key requirement for a successful transition from the past to the future is engaging in scientific discourse about path dependency and its impact on future outcomes. Economic reforms often fail to address many of the lingering consequences of the past. Moreover, economic policies can yield long-term negative effects alongside their intended positive results. This roundtable aims to explore this causal relationship. Ukraine's Soviet heritage has resulted in an unbalanced economy, depleted agricultural resources, territorial disparities, and environmental threats. The concentration of production during industrialization created conditions for the concentration of property in the post-Soviet era. State monopolies have led to corporate monopolies in a market economy. To move forward, Ukraine must overcome the obstacles entrenched in its economic structure, public governance, and societal consciousness during the transformational reconstruction after the war.

Sub Unit

• Economic History/Economics/Business

Chair

• Oleksandra Kurbet, National Academy of Sciences (Ukraine)

Roundtable Speakers

• Tetiana Bodnarchuk, Kamianets-Podilskyi National U (Ukraine)

• Lesia Didkivska, National Academy of Sciences (Ukraine)

• Nazar Gorin, National Academy of Sciences (Ukraine)

• Oleksandra Kurbet, National Academy of Sciences (Ukraine)

• Tetiana Slyvka, National Academy of Sciences (Ukraine)

Session Manager

• Aliide Naylor, Independent Scholar