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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Question of <I>The Day</I>

12 February, 2002 - 00:00

Yury RYBCHYNSKY, author of the White Raven rock opera:

The white raven notion can be applied to politics and society, as politics is a part of society. In general, anything exceeding the established and approved social standards can be called a white raven. One of the basic characteristics of a human white raven indicates that such an individual does not belong to the pack. White crows are not accepted by the flock for they betray it. All flock members must show identical features. A white raven is a kind of a maverick doomed to solitary existence due to his unusualness.

Yevhen HOLOVAKHA, Doctor in philosophy, Head of Department, Institute of Sociology:

In sociology and social psychology this category of people has another name. I mean the so-called nonconformists, individuals capable of challenging the majority’s position and opinion. Consequently, before expanding on white crows in politics and society we are to be fully aware of the mainstream ideas that dominate in society. With Western society dominated by the ideas of integration, unification, and globalization, such individuals who oppose them can naturally be regarded as white ravens. In part, even terrorists qualify for this category.

The situation in Ukraine is quite different as we are in a stage of transition, and the dominant ideology is shaped by so-called transient standards. All this creates a very complex situation in society. Consequently, a person challenging the existing political and social system cannot be called a white raven.

Under our conditions, to be a white crow in politics and society is to stand by clear and coherent social rules and principles which exclude any political corruptibility and the social, moral, and political double standards which dominate our current society. A person whose views remain unchanged regardless of any material or volatile political considerations, who can defend his vision and does not adapt to double standards is a white crow in Ukrainian society. Just look at the political party charters: they are a weird mix of extreme Left and extreme Right ideas and concepts. This is due to the fact that, given our amorphous and uncertain society, politicians want to be everything to everyone, something which can be done only by advocating contradictory eclectic ideas. In this sense, white ravens are those politicians who can clearly expound their agendas without adapting to the dominant social and political environment.

Naturally, the latter will be more vulnerable than those who adapt themselves to the dominant conditions. However, there has always been a demand for nonconformists to keep society firmly on course. For Ukraine this issue is by far more vital than for other countries.

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