Павло Скоропадський: прибічник консерватизму чи політик-реаліст?

Abstract

The purpose of the work is to fi nd out the perception of P. Skoropadsky’s policy dur- ing the leadership of Ukraine in 1918 in the context of its attribution to one of the trends of political thought known at the time, which was expressed in the refl ection of the participants of those events on the example of the analysis of their memories and propaganda texts, created in the environment of Ukrainian political emigration. Th is will make it possible to more accurately understand the true purpose and probable results of P. Skoropadsky’s political course, which were not implemented due to the short-term management of Ukraine in 1918. Th e research methodology is primarily based on special scientifi c (characteristic of historical discourse) methods, namely: comparative- historical, historical-typological, as well as general scientifi c methods of analysis, induction, deduc- tion, synthesis, structural-systemic, etc. Th e principles of research are non-political, objective, and scientifi c. Th e scientifi c novelty lies in a new approach and a modern “reading” of the content of P. Skoropadsky’s political activities and views, which allows for strengthening the research of the Hetmanate period, giving them a further fl ow and a new, modern content, considering the interdisciplinary approach, which consists in combining the data of historical science, philosophy, psychology, and political science. Conclusions. Th e initial apoliticalness of P. Skoropadsky and the fact that his life credo was following common sense, and innate pragmatism due to signifi cant life experience are substantiated. All these brought him closer to the position of those few Ukrainian political circles that professed conservative political doctrine. But he remained a man of common sense and a pragmatist, which, in the conditions of the marginality of Ukrainian conservatism itself, logically determined his separation from many of his associates, as well as the transition of some of them to the ranks of radical political currents.