Diasporas and democratization in the post-communist world

If diaspora communities are socialized with democratic values in Western societies, they could be expected to be sympathetic to the democratization of their home countries. However, there is a high degree of variation in their behavior. Contrary to the predominant understanding in the literature that diasporas act in exclusively nationalist ways, this article argues that they do engage with the democratization of their home countries. Various challenges to the sovereignty of their homelands explain whether diasporas involve with procedural or liberal aspects of democratization. Drawing evidence from the activities of the Ukrainian, Serbian, Albanian and Armenian diasporas after the end of communism, I argue that unless diasporas are linked to home countries that enjoy both international legal and domestic sovereignty, they will involve only with procedural aspects of democratization. Diasporas filter international pressure to democratize post-communist societies by utilizing democratic procedures to advance unresolved nationalist goals

Svoboda and the education of Rusyn-Ukrainians in America, 1893-1914 : a study of an ethnic newspaper

Includes bibliographical references (pages [171]-176)This thesis is about how Svoboda, the oldest continuously published Ukrainian-language newspaper in the world, contributed to the formation of the Ukrainian identity in the United States between 1893 and 1914. The first immigrants from Ukraine called themselves Rusyns. They were illiterate peasants who were indifferent to education. They were also stubborn, weak-willed, greedy, and lacking in civic responsibility. Mincing no words, the editors of Svoboda adopted the "tough love" approach to their constituents. Svoboda's editors believed that enlightenement through Americanization and Ukrainian- ization was the key to socio-economic progress. They tried to shame Rusyns into bettering themselves by comparing them to other ethnic groups and offering American models for family living, church attendance, and self-improvement. Adopting the motto "help yourself," and favoring bi-lingualism and bi-culturalism, Svoboda's editors promoted the establishment of adult reading rooms and heritage schools for Rusyn youth. They helped create an enlightenment society which published books, organized contests for young authors, and provided in-service training for teachers. Some 40 percent of America's Rusyns adopted a Ukrainian self-identity by 1914. This thesis provides a model for other ethnic groups struggling to maintain their identity in a multicultural America while moving into the socio-economic mainstream.M.S. Ed. (Master of Education

The Sarmatian Review, Vol. 10, No. 2

Boss, Sally R., " Whither the Ukrainians?"; Letters; Kuropas, Myron, "Ukraine's Millennium of Christianity: a Triumph of Faith"; PIASA Meeting; From the Editor; Hetnal, Adam, "Women in Ukraine"; Creative Use of Data Honorable; Mention; BOOK