Without the State: Self-Organization and Political Activism in Ukraine

Without the State explores the 2013–14 Euromaidan protests in Ukraine through in-depth ethnographic research with leftist, feminist, and student activists, highlighting the concept of self-organization and its impact on rethinking the relationship between citizens and their state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2022
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Without the State delves into the profound 2013-14 Euromaidan protests, a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest that swept across Ukraine. Through extensive ethnographic research, the book explores the concept of self-organization and the belief that individuals with the necessary skills and expertise should take the initiative to address societal challenges. Authored by Emily Channell-Justice, the book sheds light on how self-organization emerged from leftist practices in Ukraine, but it also reveals how actors from across the political spectrum, including far-right groups, embraced self-organization during the Euromaidan protests. The widespread adoption of self-organization sparked a reevaluation of the relationship between citizens and their state, fostering a sense of empowerment and civic engagement among Ukrainians.

Furthermore, the book delves into how self-organized practices have transformed individuals' perceptions of their own contributions to their communities. In the aftermath of Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the book has served as a catalyst for the formation of new networks of mutual aid within Ukraine and beyond, highlighting the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity.

Drawing from extensive ethnographic fieldwork, including the author's firsthand experience of the entirety of the Euromaidan protests, Without the State offers a unique analytical perspective on this pivotal moment in Ukraine's post-Soviet history. It provides a comprehensive examination of the social, political, and cultural factors that shaped the protests and their enduring impact on Ukrainian society.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 235 x 159 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487509736