It is already clear that even in the best-case scenario, Ukraine will have several million fewer people after the war than it did before, and there are no prerequisites for long-term demographic optimism, except for a possible short-term postwar baby boom. Migrants are not a good solution – look at France.

And with a relatively small population density, you can live well only if everyone creates a lot of value on average. This happens if this value is extracted from the subsoil (or black soil) or if the country has a lot of talent: in labor-intensive industries, and even more so in traditional services, the added value per employee is much less; and it makes sense to locate capital-intensive industries (Industry 4.0) in developed countries, closer to rich markets and centuries-old traditions of property rights protection, away from global bullies like Russia.

But Ukraine is not very rich in fossils, and its agricultural potential is limited. For this reason, and because we live in a post-industrial era, only creative industries can become a long-term driver of growth. And they rely on talent, which even before the full-scale war often emigrated in search of a better life. Therefore, competition for talent is the key to postwar success.

And here the question arises: what can Ukraine offer as a place to live that can outcompete the attractiveness of developed countries, with their excellent infrastructure, guaranteed security, and centuries-old traditions of respect for human rights?

Yes, of course, Ukraine needs to move in this direction, especially with regard to the rule of law and the state at the service of the people. But, objectively speaking, this is a long process, and too distant for this country – if it ever becomes a model in this regard at all. However, we still have another advantage: freedom from regulations and controls. This is the flip side of "disorder," as some call freedom. This includes the ease of financial transactions, a competitive Internet market, a simplified tax system for small businesses, relatively liberal (for now) speed limits on the roads, over-the-counter medicines, and much more.

It is clear that not everyone likes this. Many people demand that we "restore order, like in Europe." In some respects, this may be worth doing. But it should be borne in mind that those who like overregulation are already lost to Ukraine: there is no point in returning if they have left, or they will leave later if they stayed for some reason. And those who feel uncomfortable in this Ordnung and miss the free spirit that is traditionally inherent in Ukraine will return. If, of course, these freedoms remain.

Unfortunately, the opposite trend is now evident: cargo integrators are bringing all sorts of prohibitions, regulations and controls to Ukraine, and this has a lively response from legislators and officials. The reason (besides an irrational dislike of freedom – a thirst for "order") is that I don't know about the EU, but all these barriers fit very well into our corrupt (or rather, patronage) system. You can't earn much from liberty, and the power of all sorts of bosses rests on its restrictions. At the same time, "harmonization" with all the really good things in the EU is naturally hampered by the same forces.

Before it's too late, everyone who values freedom needs to unite to resist the pressure of prohibitionists, leftists, and cargo integrators. Otherwise, even if we win the war, we will lose Ukraine. At least the Ukraine we know and love.

Articles published in the "Opinions" section reflect the point of view of the author and may not reflect the position of the LIGA.net editors
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