| Abstrakt: |
Corruption and inequality are two social issues especially relevant in Ukraine, thus they are widely studied. Still, in Ukrainian social science there is a lack of studies connecting corruption and inequality into a single concept including, also, trust, norms and values, and its influence on social structure and class formation. Such studies provide a more comprehensive picture and understanding for social processes in transitioning societies such as Ukrainian. This paper aims at compiling the main theories, which explain the connection between corruption and inequality through such factors as: generalized trust, perceived social justice, the prevalence of positive or negative role models for success. Another objective of this study is to highlight the role of the middle class factor within the single concept of inequality and corruption and to apply the explanatory power of inequality and corruption theory to assess the chances for the development of the influential middle class in Ukraine. The theory is supported by the analysis of empirical data from the International Social Survey Programme: Social Inequality ISSP 2019 and from previous studies. The paper examines and reveals the issues of social transition period in Ukraine such as: lack of trust, high level of inequality and perceived social injustice, conflict in values, corruption perception and spread, specific behavior models (hard work, good education, bribery and "right people") as prerequisites for success in life. It also contributes important explanatory details into studies on Ukrainian middle class and its perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
