HYBRID POLITICS AND ADMINISTRATION AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCONSISTENCY OF THE UKRAINIAN SOCIAL ORDER: THE SUSTAINABILITY PROBLEM, AS SPECIFIED BY MAX WEBER’S THEORY

Abstract

This paper focuses on the hybrid nature of the Ukrainian political and administrative process. It argues that the deeply rooted inconsistency of social order in Ukraine was produced by the rapid redefinition of the basic principles of economic and social life in the last two decades, after the fall of the Soviet Union. The lack of legitimacy is the core reason for this hybridity and is a problem of cultural and social values. A legitimacy deficit brings plebiscitary trends to politics and develops instability in legislation and administration. This research applies the potential of Max Weber’s theory to explain previous internal political crises and to accentuate the consequences for public administration in Ukraine. A comparative juxtaposition of Weberian concepts and meanings can be used to develop a more refined description of the Ukrainian situation. The results of sociological monitoring validate these research conclusions. Hybridity and plebiscitarianism threaten the values of Ukrainian democracy and impede democratic governance. Only comprehensive political and administrative efforts can ensure the integrity of this order and decrease the risk of far-reaching instability.