Marauding elite and neo-feudalism are the main signs of the Post-Soviet periphery

The chief editor of the project “However. Eurasia” Simeon Uralov answers the questions of the Internet portal “The world and we”.

- How the present opposition between the power and opposition in Ukraine is considered from the point of view of the Eurasian integration?

From the point of view of the Eurasian agenda, the opposition action differ nothing from actions of the Ukrainian power. Because at present the main opponent and the opponent of the Eurasian integration is the Ukrainian party in power. All concept directed on non-alignment under the guise of the European integration is no other than the opportunity “to maraud” for some more years with the main assets in the state which remained not so much. These are the seaports, the land and the industry remains.

If to look from the foreign policy point of view, the opposition criticizes the Ukrainian power for insufficient European reforms, but thus actually EU is absolutely happy with actions of this power. After all that is called as “European integration” occurs by the principle of absorption - the western corporations are started in economy of Ukraine. This unilateral game absolutely arranges both the European bureaucracy and the Ukrainian power. Therefore it is not correct in principle to say that the Ukrainian opposition does something not peculiar to it. It is more correct to claim that both the opposition and the power compete on one field. After all the priority of the European integration is written down both in power and at opposition. Thus, it is onу kind fight of same “rats” in jar and it would be wrong to divide them among themselves.

- The situation with “marauding” elite is unique only for Ukraine or this situation is characteristic for all Post-Soviet countries?

Certainly, each Post-Soviet republic, this national splinter, is unique in something. But as a whole the schemes which occur in all these republics, are similar in principle. Those republics where the state remained as function already created the new Union – it is Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. In spite of the fact that there are different political models in these countries, the different relations, nevertheless, the state remained in them therefore the Union is possible. All other national splinters are to some extent of degradation.

This degradation is characterized by several important markers.

The first marker is absolute irresponsibility of elite which consider the republic only as “the economic homeland” - a place where the main assets are earned and life occurs outside the country. It is peculiar both for Ukraine, Moldova and Uzbekistan – there is no special difference.

The second marker is a prompt structural degradation. As the elite wasn't engaged in the state for 20 years, all infrastructure objects reached a limit of natural aging. These are power supply networks, a water supply system, oil pipelines, condition of a roadbed. Respectively where the state remained, the main forms of activity remained also. And the national periphery starts dying together with elite which continue to absorb the remains of assets. And in mountain conditions as, for example, in Kyrgyzstan, it is especially rigidly shown. In the conditions of softer climate - in Moldova, Ukraine it isn't so noticeable. In the conditions of a rigid overpopulation of Uzbekistan all game of this model is visible.

And the third marker of these Post-Soviet national republics, the national periphery on an equal basis with prompt degradation it also the rolling down in neo-feudalism. Because the normal, usual state with the system of relationship dies, the vassalage system comes to its place. It is based not on the principle “chief – subordinate” because it is so stated in the charter or the law, but on system of a personal contact - the elite starts marrying the offsprings among themselves, to unite or divide assets. And it turns out the neo-feudal model which is based on personal loyalty, on the personal relations. Sooner or later these republics burst and broken off on specific principalities and it suits all. Certainly, such approach doesn't suit the future Eurasian Union, but it is an essence of the Eurasian integration in it.

- Some western politicians, including, Hillary Clinton, openly declare that the West will resist to integration on the Eurasian space in every possible way, including to creation of the Eurasian Union. How strong this counteraction can be and in what forms it can be expressed in the near future?

Counteraction never stopped - the purposes in the relation of all Eurasia, future Eurasian Union and the former USSR never changed from their party. Ours “pale brothers” believe that there have to be some tens national states in the territory of future Eurasian Union - the Independent Novgorod Republic, Independent Siberia, etc. They didn't hide and will never hide own purposes. In this sense nothing has changed neither from 70th years nor from the beginning of the century. The purposes remain the same, only they are called now in a different way.

All of us saw their methods - Orange revolution in Kiev, parliament burning in Moldova, Tulip revolution in Bishkek, Islam Karimov's arms, arms of Georgia and war with South Ossetia, Bolotnaya Square. All this visibly is on a surface - it isn't necessary to look for. Such action can be expected further.

- Will the Central Asia has special value for such “actions” in the near future?

Yes, the Central Asia will be, most likely, the following push in a chain of provocations for one simple reason - Kyrgyzstan in 2014 has to enter the Customs Union. And any unions live by the principle - the more the union is powerful, the more the allies, especially it is attractive to new participants and, thus, large-scale processes are started. It is easier to bring down any union on take-off while it didn't gain strength yet. Therefore now Kyrgyzstan is under a sight, having certain conflicts to Uzbekistan which is practically under a direct control of the USA.

Therefore, really, the Central Asia will be one of points of application of forces and test for the new Union.