Trajectory of Socio-economic Development of Ukraine in 1991–2021 from a World-system Perspective

The Ukrainian trajectory of socio-economic development has so far been looked at through different regional lenses. This paper proposes a more global interpretation, from the theoretical perspective of world systems. It will trace the trajectory of the Ukrainian economic position since the fall of the Soviet Union, in particular with regard to industrial position, market integration, and social implications. The decline in technological competitiveness and the social and demographic crisis are highlighted as underlying constraints that Ukraine faces today. It will conclude with some remarks on the relevance of global and historical world-system approach to understand the Ukraine's socio-economic development trajectory.