In an effort to explore the issue further let us proceed with a brief examination of the elements we are dealing with here. While nation-states are prevalent keep in mind that a nation is different then a state. A state is a political community with a government. A nation-state is a state inhabited largely by citizens who identify themselves as members of the same nation. Ethnicity does not create a nation either, America for instance is a Nation comprised of many ethnicities. A National identity exists when a group of individuals identi

When it comes to our understanding of how people live on a day-to-day basis, in America, we are very aware another of our "key factors" namely economy. Economy has a profound effect on a culture and that culture's people. In American when our economy is strong people tend to be more contented with the government and less likely to vote against sitting government officials and their associated political party members (CNN). Economy is a key factor in assessing the stability of a country. When a country has a lot of unemployed males in the young adult age category, this leads to instability. Another sign of instability is a high ratio of nonproductive members of a society to few active working members. Also when the general population no longer considers the legal currency to be a dependable means of exchange, this brings their government's influence (as well as its relevance) into question. When this happens a government's ability to have any meaningful effect on its country's problems weakens substantially and the extent to which that government can control or affect the people it would seek to govern is greatly stricken (CIA). Basically the point is when an Economy is strong things are well and good, the people are generally contented and the nation remains stable. Vice versa when an Economy is not strong, things are bad for the people and the nation becomes unstable.

The next few selections are from Yuri a bus driver by profession but due to a recent lack of gasoline has taken up doing odd jobs fixing and rigging house hold machinery. Yuri lives in Bogodukhov with his wife, Alla, and their two daughters, Yulya and Inna.

1996 "...I am writing this letter in Russian, I hope the girls (Inna and Yula) can translate it... ...I worry it will be hard and long (to get) used to our difficult reality. The independence of Ukraine brought nothing Good. Its worse and worse every day. All factories are closed, prices are up (and grow) and nothing better in future. Our government is not interest(ed) in people's life. Instead to make our own goods, they get everything from abroad, they spend all money on that. Our people can work and they are able to do the same things that government take from abroad, but nobody wants to know this. Now the people with black (market) money more important. Everybody respect (the mafia). Nobody need honest working hands and bright, smart heads. And I am worry about this most of all."

"A second separatist movement developed in eastern Ukraine, where coal miners and other workers in eastern Ukraine went on strike in June 1993 to protest the poor state of the economy. A political crisis developed within the government over the pace of economic reform in 1993. In May 1993 Prime Minister Leonid Kuchma (1992- ) threatened to resign if he was not granted additional powers. In response to the threat of resignation, President Kravchuk proposed that the Ukrainian parliament grant Kuchma additional executive powers. The parliament rejected Kuchma's resignation and most of Kravchuk's proposals, but they did grant Kravchuk the power to rule by decree on some economic issues (Ualberta)."

Vera makes here makes reference to the close relationship between Russia and Ukraine also she illustrates a popular distrust in politicians and a lack of faith in the state. The humanitarian aid she makes reference to is an example of how mafia and government apparently have become almost the same organization. As it turned out the elections held put the same people into power as were in power under communism. The bureaucracy Vera refers to is in fact a system of bribes. The proper tax must be paid in order to accomplish any thing through the government. No specific legislation dictates most of these supposed taxes, in essence a system of bargaining and bribery has become the normal state of day to day government affairs (Jorgenson). Vera does raise a flag of nationalism in her statement, "All our

Some common words found in the essay are:
President Kravchuk, Ukrainians National, USSR Ukraine, Nation Kuzio, CIA Ukraine, Basically Economy, President KUCHMA, Russia Ukraine, Soviet Union, Inna Yula, national identity, black market, shared history, common plight, accessed march 2000, february 2000, ussr ukraine, government officials, history ukraine, soviet union, ukrainian republic, dr alan fager, lives country struggling, personal interview dr, dr donna jorgenson,
Approximate Word count = 4125
Approximate Pages = 17 (250 words per page double spaced)