Abstract
Olga Baysha’s timely and insightful book “War, Peace, and Populist Discourse in Ukraine”, part of the Routledge Focus on Communication Studies series, offers a compelling exploration of the dangers inherent in the simplistic “good versus evil” framing that often dominates discussions of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict. Consisting of an introduction and six chapters which have been organized in two parts, the book draws on discourse theory to deconstruct the civilizational rhetoric employed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which divides the world into “civilized us” versus “barbarian them”. This one-dimensional representation, the author argues, leaves little room for genuine understanding of the complex geopolitical realities at play, and undermines the potential for lasting peace. By incorporating alternative perspectives, including the voices of Ukrainian journalists and bloggers who have been marginalized, Baysha provides an indispensable contribution to studies in global communication, political discourse and transnational populism.
In the introductory chapter, the author discusses how populism, traditionally viewed as a domestic political phenomenon, is now taking on a more transnational character. As she explains, domestic issues have become increasingly intertwined with international developments, forcing populists to grapple with the cross-border nature of challenges like migration, terrorism, and pandemics that do not respect national boundaries. This trend has been facilitated by rapid real-time communication and heightened global interconnectedness, which has increased people’s awareness of pressing global problems. Consequently, a growing body of academic research is analyzing the influence of contemporary populism on international relations, foreign policy, and security decision-making. This research suggests that the rise of transnational populism requires populists to adapt their traditional “us vs. them” rhetoric and responses to address the international dimensions of domestic concerns. Populists can no longer focus solely on national politics, but must consider how global forces shape the priorities and grievances of their “common people” constituency. In all, the introductory chapter sets the stage for the book’s exploration of how populism is evolving beyond its conventional domestic focus to engage more directly with international dynamics and cross-border challenges. This shift highlights the necessity for a more refined comprehension of populism’s expanding transnational influence and its wider implications.
Part I, titled “Populist Discourse of Civilization”, consists of three chapters. Chapter 1, “From the Euromaidan to the Russia–Ukraine War 2013–2022”, provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine and their lead-up to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. The author skillfully contextualizes the Euromaidan revolution within Ukraine’s political and social landscape, highlighting how the government’s refusal to sign an EU association agreement catalyzed widespread protests. Notably, the chapter emphasizes how these protests went beyond just pro-EU sentiment, reflecting deeper issues of political corruption and exclusion faced by certain segments of Ukrainian society.
Chapter 2, titled “Analyzing Populist Discourses”, provides a robust theoretical framework for understanding the contingent, sedimented, and antagonistic nature of populist rhetoric. Drawing on the discourse theory of Laclau and Mouffe (1985), the author presents discourse as a “social fabric” that shapes and constitutes social relations. Discourses are conceptualized as stabilized by “nodal points” or “master signifiers” that partially fix meaning, while remaining contingent and open to reinterpretation. The chapter emphasizes how populist discourses operate through the construction of antagonistic frontiers that divide the “people” against an excluded “other”. This process of discursive articulation is shown to be inherently precarious, as populist claims to represent the “true” or “authentic” people are inherently unstable. The author’s approach acknowledges both the power and limitations of populist rhetoric, highlighting how discursive sedimentation can obscure the contingent origins of social orders. This chapter offers a sophisticated theoretical lens for analyzing the discursive dynamics of contemporary populism.
Chapter 3, “Zelensky’s Transnational Populism: Civilized Us versus Barbaric Them”, provides an insightful analysis of Zelensky’s transnational populism in the context of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The author astutely identifies three key discursive strategies employed by Zelensky to galvanize global support for Ukraine’s defense against the “barbaric” Russian aggression. First, Zelensky framed the conflict as a struggle between democracy and authoritarianism, positioning Ukraine as the bulwark of European civilization against Russian imperialism. Second, he employed a “beacon of democracy” narrative to cast Ukraine as a unifying force, obscuring domestic political divisions. Finally, Zelensky utilized a “unified social formation” rhetoric, portraying all Ukrainians (except “traitors/collaborators”) as sharing the same struggle against the common “Russian enemy”. The author’s subtle examination of these discursive tactics highlights Zelensky’s skillful navigation of the geopolitical landscape, mobilizing international sympathy and material support through the strategic deployment of populist tropes.
Part II, titled “Alternative Articulations of the Russia–Ukraine Conflict” includes four chapters. Chapter 4, “Ukraine Under External Control”, provides a critical analysis of the 2014 Ukrainian Euromaidan revolution, which is often framed as a popular struggle for democracy and freedom. Boysha argues that this narrative oversimplifies the complex political dynamics at play, and that the revolution was more akin to a “coup d’état” facilitated by external actors. She suggests that while the Euromaidan protests were driven by a desire for social justice and a better life, oppositional views were quickly suppressed, with critical journalists and bloggers facing intimidation and prosecution. She contends that the “revolution of dignity” was in fact a means of establishing external control over Ukraine, with the new government serving the interests of Western powers rather than the Ukrainian people. This perspective challenges the dominant discourse surrounding the Euromaidan events and raises important questions about the role of external influence in shaping political outcomes in Ukraine. In fact, the author’s critical analysis provides a thought-provoking counterpoint to the prevailing narratives and invites readers to consider the complexities of democratic transitions in the post-Soviet era.
Chapter 5, “Authoritarian Populism in the Name of Democracy”, provides a detailed analysis of the authoritarian populist tendencies in Ukraine, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The author examines how the unity of Ukraine, as constantly invoked by President Zelensky, has been constructed not only discursively but also through the physical exclusion of oppositional voices from the public sphere. By drawing on investigative reports from the United Nations and the Council of Europe, the author meticulously reconstructs the sequence of events, highlighting the violent confrontation and the resulting loss of life. Overall, the chapter offers a critical examination of the authoritarian tendencies in Ukraine, challenging the narrative of unity and demonstrating how the suppression of dissent has been a key strategy in the post-Ukrainian Revolution era, that is, from 2014 onwards. The analysis provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of democracy, populism, and authoritarianism in the Ukrainian context.
Chapter 6, “The Deadlock of the Peace Treaty”, provides a well-researched historical account of the key battles that marked the early stages of the Donbas war in Ukraine, which began in 2014. The author examines the failed attempts to negotiate a political solution between Ukraine and the Russia-backed separatist forces, setting the stage for the pivotal battles of Ilovaisk and Debaltseve. One notable example of a failed attempt is the quadrilateral “Geneva format” initiative launched in April 2014, which included Ukraine, Russia, the EU, and the United States. This diplomatic effort aimed to resolve the conflict through negotiation but ultimately failed to achieve any meaningful progress. The chapter highlights how the tactical successes of the separatist forces shaped the broader diplomatic stalemate that has characterized the peace process. The attention to detail and objective analysis, based on facts rather than personal feelings, interpretations, or opinions, make this a valuable resource for understanding the early dynamics of the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine.
In the concluding chapter, titled “Conclusion. A Road to Peace”, Baysha provides an insightful analysis of Ukrainian President Zelensky’s rhetoric during the ongoing conflict with Russia through the lens of Laclau’s (2005) theory of populism and Carpentier’s (2017) concept of antagonist discourse. The author astutely observes how Zelensky’s discourse constructs a clear “us vs. them” dichotomy, a hallmark of populist movements. This populist framing allows Zelensky to unify Ukrainians against the Russian aggressor and galvanize global support for Ukraine’s cause. However, the author rightly notes that the complex geopolitical landscape resists simplistic categorization. Zelensky must navigate a nuanced reality beyond a binary “civilized people” versus “barbarians” narrative. The chapter concludes by suggesting that achieving a lasting peace will require Zelensky to find a way to reincorporate the “silenced” voices that his populist rhetoric has marginalized. Overall, this is a thoughtful examination of how political discourse shapes the public’s understanding of an ongoing conflict with major implications for the path to peace.
In conclusion, the book offers a deeply insightful exploration of how populist rhetoric has shaped the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict. By meticulously unpacking the discursive strategies employed by Ukrainian President Zelensky, Baysha reveals the dangerous reductionism inherent in framing the war as a simplistic battle between good and evil. Her subtle analysis uncovers the ways in which Zelensky’s “civilized us versus barbarian them” narrative serves to obscure the complex geopolitical realities at play and undermine the potential for lasting peace. The clear and accessible writing makes this an excellent introductory resource for understanding the origins of the current conflict. However, Baysha’s focus on populism, although important, could benefit from a more expansive examination of other factors influencing the conflict, such as historical grievances and external political pressures. This significant analysis is a must-read for scholars and students across a range of disciplines, from media and communication studies to international relations, peace studies, and discourse studies. Baysha’s work provides an indispensable contribution to our understanding of the pernicious impact of populism on global affairs and the critical need to resist simplistic narratives in favor of a more holistic and empathetic engagement with entrenched conflicts.