Social Practices of Political Elites in Ukraine (with Regard to the Theory of Practice of Pierre Bourdieu) Cover Image

Социальные практики политических элит в Украине (в разрезе теории практик Пьера Бурдье)
Social Practices of Political Elites in Ukraine (with Regard to the Theory of Practice of Pierre Bourdieu)

Author(s): Aleksandra Matushenko
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Political economy, Politics and society
Published by: OFFICINA SIMONIDIS. Wydawnictwo Uczelni Państwowej im. Szymona Szymonowica w Zamościu
Keywords: political elites; social practices; Pierre Bourdieu’ theory of practice; habitus; the field of politics; capitals;

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes political elites in Ukraine with regard to the theory of practices, habitus, field and capitals, developed by a French thinker Pierre Bourdieu. The author focuses on the social practices of political elites under the influence of such factors as institutional conditions, rules of the game, the scope of political struggles, the level and ways of maintaining competition, the value of different kinds of capitals in the field of Ukrainian politics at the different stages of the development of political process in the country. In addition, the article analyzes and takes into consideration such less evident and rarely noticeable issues as the logic of the Ukrainian field of politics, and habitus of political elites, which is the product of the social experiences of the past and is continuously generating previous practices and resistance to changes. Experience and realities the political actors face, particularly in the political and business environments, along with the practices generated by the previous regime, have planted certain settings and perceptions (both conscious and unconscious) concerning business and politics. One should not underestimate the influence of such settings, as they are constantly imposing impact on the practices. The understanding of the mechanisms and discovering the influence they have on social practices of political elites, leads to the deeper understanding of the peculiarities of political process in Ukraine in general.

  • Issue Year: 8/2015
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 89-107
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Russian