The title of the project refers to the historical experience of the “Asian Tigers,” nations that transformed from agrarian colonies into industrial capitalist states, with democracy following later. Ukraine now faces the dual challenge of building effective state capacity while embedding democratic practices, unlike the East Asian Tigers, which achieved these goals sequentially. Moreover, the “Irish Tiger” also exemplifies rapid development despite different circumstances.

Ukraine’s state is far from ideal governance and distant from the neoliberal vision of a “lean and mean” state. However, free-market advocates expect Ukraine to self-manage its transformation. In the ongoing discussion of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, key issues include corruption, governance, institutional resilience, and entrepreneurship. Yet, the role of the state remains largely ignored. The Irish developmental state model, however, offers valuable insights.

The main research question is whether the developmental state model, with its East Asian origins, can be adopted in Ukraine. This project will draw on social science literature by scholars such as Chalmers Johnson, Charles Tilly, Alice Amsden, and others. The goal is to examine how to reinvent Ukraine’s state in a developmental manner while promoting democratic practices.

The project will involve interviews with policymakers and intellectuals, creating a network of experts focused on restructuring Ukraine’s state to achieve both modernization and enhanced democratic potential.