26 “recentralization” after the fact of a decentralization. In this scenario, officials in the central government can use veto powers or general authority of command to nullify certain decisions made by regional governments. Likewise, it is not farfetched to envision officials appointed by the central government monitoring the decisions and budgets of regional governors. Such a development occurred in Russia during the 2000s with the notion of presidential representatives, who were endowed with the authority to check the legality of regional decisions. The result was a reduction in the powers of the regional authorities and a strengthening of the central government, that is, recentralization.68 However, with these risks in mind, the benefits Ukraine could see from decentralization in terms of growth, development, peace and democracy are numerous.
Judicial Policy While the executive and legislature are key areas of deficiency in the Ukrainian government, specific attention should also be paid to the problems of the judiciary as a whole, rather than simply the Constitutional Court. The court system is arguably the most corrupt state organ in Ukraine, and is frequently described as “rotten to the core.”69 In 2013, a Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer revealed that 66% of Ukrainian citizens saw the judiciary as the most corrupt institution in the country.70 Similarly, according to a survey issued by the Ministry of Justice in 2009, only 10% of respondents had faith in the national court system.71 Bribing is the norm, not just among business and political elites, but among the greater public as well. The same Transparency International report found that 21% of Ukrainian citizens admitted to bribing judicial officials.72 Further the conviction rate in 2012
68
Roger Myerson, and Tymofiy Mylovanov. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Polar Cases of Decentralization Reforms in Ukraine,” Zerkalo Nedeli, April 11, 2014. 69 Peter Byrne. “Moskal: 'Rotten to the Core',” Kyiv Post, March 26, 2010. 70 Ukrainian Week staff. “Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer: Ukraine Has Become More Corrupt over the Last Two Years,” Ukrainian Week, July 9, 2013. 71 Peter Byrne. “Jackpot,” Kyiv Post, March 26, 2010. 72 Ukrainian Week staff. “Transparency International Global Corruption Barometer: Ukraine Has Become More Corrupt over the Last Two Years,” Ukrainian Week, July 9, 2013.