The Belarusian Model of Transformation: Alaksandr Lukashenka’s Regime and the Nostalgia for the Soviet Past

Abstract

:Belarus has become an example of the reversibility of democratic transformations. It was the “showcase of socialism” in the times of the Soviet Union, and had a higher standard of living than the country as a whole. Weak national self-awareness is characteristic of Belarusian society. Belarus ended up independerzt, despite the desires of both a majority of the population and the ruling elite. Belarusian society was not ripe for reform by the start of Gorbachev’s restructuring.The triumphant victory of Alaksandr Lukashenka in the 1994 presidential elections was a populist revolution. It took place under the slogan of a return to the prior system and a fight against the nomenklatura and entrepreneurs. Instead of the idea of Belarusian national resurrection, an ideology of pan-Slavism had started to take hold. In 1996, there was a coup d’etat in the country under the guise of a referendum and an authoritarian regime was established with sole power to the president. Market reforms were overthrown and war was declared on the private sector. The intelligence services were restored to their prior role and the political repression of the opposition, representatives of the nomenklatura, and business began. The schism in society is becoming deeper and deeper, and an atmosphere of confrontation and hostility toward opponents of the authorities is being established. Representative institutions have been abolished and repressions are being carried out against the structures of civil society. A model of authoritarian corporatism is spreading in its place: the authorities are creating corporative unions that are given a monopoly to represent the interests of various segments of the population.In foreign policy, a policy of integration with Russia is being pursued, and the intention to unite into a single nation with it is being declared. At the same time, tense relations with the West continue. As a consequence, Belarus has ended up in international isolation.The social model that has been created in Belarus has no historical prospects, and, within the framework of this model, is doomed to permanent socioeconomic crisis that is insoluble.