The Zelensky Effect
A book that reveals the transformation of contemporary Ukraine.
The premiere of the Polish translation of 'The Zelensky Effect', a book that provides a unique analysis of contemporary social and political processes in Ukraine. The authors, Olga Onuch and Henry E. Hale, well-known specialists in political science and political transition, take readers on a journey through the turbulent years of the formation of Ukraine's new democratic identity.
Set against the backdrop of the dramatic events of recent years - from Euromaidan, to the ongoing war with Russia, to the quest for full sovereignty - the book takes a close look at the processes that are transforming Ukraine on a social, civic and political level. It is a story not only about war, but above all about a nation undergoing profound transformations in the face of brutal aggression. 'The Zelensky Effect' explores how Russian aggression catalysed a rise in civic consciousness, social unification and reforms that are transforming Ukraine into a modern, resilient state.
The publication also analyses the paradox of Volodymyr Zelensky's leadership: his ordinariness becoming a symbol of the nation's resistance.
It is not only a read about Ukraine's present, but also a look into the future of a country that is transforming into a democratic and civil society before the eyes of the world. The Zelensky Effect is a book that combines academic integrity with an accessible narrative, engaging both readers interested in political science and those who want to better understand the essence of Ukraine's transition.
Olga Onuch (born 1982) is Professor (Head of Department) at the University of Manchester. In 2023 she became the first person in the English-speaking academic world to be awarded the title of Professor of Ukrainian Politics. Her research interests include comparative political science (particularly in the context of Eastern Europe and Latin America) and Ukrainian politics. She is interested in the motivations of citizens to vote, protest and/or migrate, the influence of the media on political and social attitudes, and how ethnic and civic identities are formed and influence political preferences.
Henry E. Hale (born 1966) is a professor of political science and international relations at George Washington University. He has conducted many years of field research in post-Soviet Europe and Asia, and currently focuses on the study of identity politics and political system change, with particular attention to the dynamics of public opinion in Russia and Ukraine. His academic career has also explored the phenomenon of patronalism in the post-Soviet area, with his book Patronal Politics: Eurasian Regime Dynamics in Comparative Perspective published in 2015 .