2010 Essays

Fistfights and Democracy in Ukraine

Mitchell, Lincoln A.

You know it is a rough time for democracy in the former Soviet Union when images of fisticuffs from the floor of the Ukrainian parliament are broadcast all over the world; and that those images of fistfights, eggs being thrown and wrestling over a giant Ukrainian flag represent some of the better news regarding democracy in the region. Obviously, debate and discussion is more appropriate than violence and shouting matches in any legislature, but sadly, this incident is one of the rare signs of democratic life in the region.