ABSTRACT

A large body of research has identified regional divisions as an important factor in understanding variation in political attitudes and behaviors in Ukraine. This article focuses on the extent to which regional divisions in Ukraine represent a key identity divide. Drawing on unique data from a national survey of residents of Ukraine, quantitative and qualitative evidence indicates that many respondents see their region as an important part of their identity and that the reasons why they do fall into identifiable categories. At the same time, the findings point to challenges in conceptualizing the region in Ukraine as an identity type. These include its contested nature, reflected in a deep divide between those who consider “region” to mean their oblast and those who see it as representing a larger area of Ukraine. These results shed new light on Ukraine’s regional divisions and may help explain why the country’s notable “regional effect” has not translated into identity-based mobilization along regional lines.

摘要

大量研究已将地区划分确定为了解乌克兰政治态度和行为变化的重要因素。本文重点关注乌克兰的区域划分在多大程度上代表了一个关键的身份划分。利用对乌克兰居民进行的全国调查的独特数据，定量和定性证据表明，许多受访者认为他们所在地区是他们身份的重要组成部分，并且他们确实属于可识别类别的原因。同时，调查结果指出了将乌克兰地区概念化为身份类型的挑战。其中包括其有争议的性质，反映在那些认为“地区”是指他们的州的人和认为它代表乌克兰更大地区的人之间的深刻分歧。