CRIME IN THE AREA OF 'CIVILIZATION COLLISION\': EXAMPLE OF UKRAINE AND BELARUS (Zlochynnist' v areali 'zitknennia tsyvilizatsii': pryklad Ukrainy ta Bilorusi)

The East-West social space differentiation in the territory of Ukraine and Belarus is thought to be the result of historical interaction of two different civilizations: the European one, which spread its influence from the west, and the Russian Orthodox one, which advanced from the east. The author's study considered the scope of social, demographic and cultural differentiation with respect to historical division of the both countries. The results indicate the existence of long-term historical frames which determine the specific regional characteristics transmitted across generations. The findings show that manifestation of the east-west spatial polarity appears to be associated with historical changes which took place in Eastern Europe in the second half of the 20th century.