Postsocialism and Tendencies for (Re)emigration by Compatriots and their Descendants in Western Ukraine
Abstract
Disintegration of the Soviet Union was an important event that directed development of the market economy. Fall of industrial production, inflation, increase in corruption, criminality and oligarchy system caused the fall in living standards.
Until today many Ukrainians have money almost only for bare necessities of life. Many Ukrainian solved this problems by their travelling to work abroad.
Economic crisis means that 76% of Ukrainian emigrants are young people. Based on three-year and still continuing fieldwork in Western Ukraine focused on Czech compatriots and their younger descendants, this contribution is aimed on political perception and (re)emigration moods.
Before Euromaidan half of them said that the Ukrainian regime is a continuation of the Soviet Union and another part expressed hate for Ukrainian state. Many of young respondents who have Czech ancestors, but Ukrainian ethnic consciousness didn't see future in Ukraine, no "resurrection" or "return" Ukraine to Europe and expressed desire to (re)emigrate.
The current political situation worsened their perception of political situation and possible improvements. Thanks to membership and cross-border travels with the compatriot society (and thanks to their family) have recognized the differences between Czech Republic and Ukraine, express a desire to (re)emigration to Czech Republic and creates social networks.
Actually they often fulfil the basic condition for getting visa or permanent residence. Many of them really moved to Czech country.
This migration follows migration flows from Ukraine with only one clear point - that their target country of migration isn't Italia, Poland, Portugal or Russia where migration from Ukraine is often directed, but thanks to their ethnic capital, transnational ties and social networks is their target country predetermined as Czech Republic. Compatriot societies maintain (re)emigration tendencies from Ukraine.