Postcolonial Studies of Scientists from Ukrainian Diaspora

Abstract

In the article the relevance of research of the colonization and decolonization processes of Ukrainian society is proved. The article touches upon the problems associated with postcolonial studies of scientists who represent the eastern and western Ukrainian diaspora. These problems were caused by the collapse of colonial system and creation of the postcolonial space which became one of the most important political events of the 20th century. The phenomenon of colonial domination is discussed from the point of view of imperial organization. The article attempts to identify the space of general representations of scientists of the western and eastern diaspora concerning colonial status of Ukraine. In the article the features of processes of decolonization which are the basis of stability of the socio-political, economic and socio-cultural systems of the state are considered. The author analyze the established within the Ukrainian study approaches to the issue of optimization of decolonization processes. In modern conditions the process of decolonization of Ukrainian society depends on the ability of politicians and citizens to find adequate ways to solve postcolonial problems in various spheres of life. A complex analysis of the postcolonial studies of scientists who represent the eastern and western Ukrainian diaspora has been carried out. The scientists of the diaspora proved that the colonies were powerful incentives for the development and enrichment of the Russian Empire. Colonial policy was carried out with usage of strong ideological basis and tools of mass propaganda. The article analyzes the problems and perspectives of postcolonial research in modern Ukrainian social and humanitarian studies. Actual political situation in Ukraine is considered in the context of postcolonial studies. The article is also devoted to the theory of postcolonial studies as a new research subject with a significant methodological and heuristic potential within modern of Ukrainian Studies and other socio-humanities. The author focuses on the problems of postcolonial studies’ concepts perception, displays the factors affecting the perception of this theory as in the academic environment and in the everyday consciousness. Postcolonial studies and postcolonial theory is the new direction of development of human knowledge. According to the author, the theory and history of colonialism needs to be revised taking into account new empirical material.

Key words: Colonization, Empire, Postcolonial Studies, Diaspora, Postcolonial Problems, Process of Decolonization, Ukraine.