The key dilemma of Ukrainian history — how to combine the protection of the individual and the protection of the community — a long interview with philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko

“The state should have certain clearly defined functions related to defence, justice, and law and order. Many other areas, however, should remain entirely in our beloved Ukrainian, slightly anarchic space. Perhaps issues of national policy, identity, some elements of education — but not much more. Right now, we see the growth of Ukrainian bureaucracy. If we fail to learn this lesson, we will definitely lose,” Volodymyr Yermolenko, Director of Analytics at Internews Ukraine and Chief Editor at UkraineWorld.org, analyses the political ideologies of the 19th–20th centuries and their transformation today, and explains why Ukraine needs a combination of nationalism, liberalism, and socialism in the right proportions.