A fracturing of the clans

This article makes plain an argument that I hadn't thought about before, that the election might end up having weakened the clan-based system of power.

The whole thing is straight out of Marx. Akhmetov's marriage of convenience is based on shared class interests. If Yanukovych and Yushchenko join forces, they will create the first truly bourgeois Cabinet in Ukrainian history. Until now the ruling class has been split into clans, all pursuing their own narrow business interests. Following the Orange Revolution, the bourgeoisie appears to have emerged as a class.

Of course, the argument is that it would happen with a Yanu-Yuschenko government. But LEvko has been reporting some grumbling in the blue ranks. That might be an indication of something going on along these lines anyway.