Tolerance In Ukraine

It is widely considered that people who travel a lot are more tolerant than the people who stay in a particular place forever. Whereas travelling experience teaches to overcome the barriers of cultural differences, it also contributes to the development of a more open and optimistic view on humanity and the world. Thus, is the travelling effective way for people to realize the value of the other worldview and the right to its manifestation, called tolerance?

It is generally claimed that people could build tolerance through travel. Tolerance, as a universal principle of social relations, is ‘intended for establishment conflict-free existence of different entities in society in conditions of ethnic and cultural pluralism.’ (The National Institute

This is clearly illustrated by the historical background of the mental separation of the people from the East and West of Ukraine. Galicia-Volyn principality had more trade, cultural links with their neighboring nations, whereas Kyivan Rus, especially the Tsardom of Muscovy, experienced the influence only by finno-ugric, turk nations and the Golden Horde. Therefore, these relations became the determinants of the mental development for many centuries. The Western Ukrainians have a history and culture of democratic values since the Magdeburg Law implementation. Furthermore, they are capable of creating a democratic society, while the pro-Soviet Eastern Ukrainians continue to support a paternalistic society. Consequently, ‘Western Ukrainians have European roots and traditions and can lead Ukraine into Europe, while the Eastern part of Ukraine is arc-Asian and look backward to Russia.’ (Korostelina, 2013) In fact, the Soviet society was extremely closed. The regime did not permit their citizens to travel abroad freely. Tourist journeys routes were allowed only to countries of Socialist Camp. Nevertheless, even these destinations were available for the best workers, selected by authorities, the Communist party members and for the trade unions officials only. But also existed one more wide group of The Soviet people who spent a lot of time abroad. There were the Soviet Army

Standing at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, with borders which changed substantially in the 20th century, the country has many nationalities and ethnic groups which co-exist quite peacefully. Nevertheless, closed in the internal contacts, people lose a sense of trust and get fear of others. Despite the virtual absence of the ethnic and social conflict, the level of tolerance in Ukraine in its psychological dimension, as willingness to rapprochement or the rejection of people, becomes lower. It leads to the increasing psychological tension in the social interaction and intolerance among different groups of the society. This is clearly shown by the cases of crimes on the basis of the ethnic origin and sexual orientation. Due to democratic values there has not be ‘distinction of any kind, including race, language, national or social origin, religion, sex and opinion.’ (United Nations, 1948) In contrast, the Ukrainian society, according to the sociological researches, manifests itself as xenophobic and homophobic. ‘6 ethnic motivated murders and 28 racist incidents’ was committed in Ukraine in 2006. (Bakalchuk , 2007). In 2013 Muslims of Crimea declare about a mosque arson in Saki. Thus, the ethnic and religious intolerance in Ukraine gradually get worse. In addition, Ukraine is one of those countries, which have no special legislation that would protect the rights of the LGBT community