Transitions Online offers a nice three page article on the second wave of transition in the post-Soviet space, and its relation to happiness; or rather, it’s negative counterpart. Go ahead and read the whole thing.

A few things I’d like to add, though, is how post-Soviet development in each of the occupied countries has contributed to the political tremors that have been shaking the region. For example, we see nations like Serbia and Ukraine that retained their authoritarianism all throughout the ’90s, ushering in new revolution. Throughout all the corruption, cheap sell-offs of state assets, censorship, and oppression, people have gotten sick of it. But we also see in other countries, ones that have faired the transition to democracy better (and likely a phase that countries such as Ukraine will now go through), that progress is slow and painful for a people coming into a world of rapid modernization and technology. Some stay committed, while others believe that reverting to authoritarianism is the only way to move forward.

For example, there is the example of a former strongman just being elected in Albania. But Russia is the best example, judging by the culture of anti-west nationalism that has developed since Putin was elected. After a decade of fascination with western culture, the corruption and cheap sell-off of state assets has made democracy a term and practice that has lost much of its credibility in the nation. That’s one of the main reason we’re seeing a second wave of reform in the post-Soviet space; people are becoming irritated with the slow pace of reform and sometimes even the lack of it. They want happiness, and they want it faster than ever before.