RUSSIANS SATISFIED WITH THEIR ABILITY TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES
MOSCOW, October 5 (RIA Novosti) - Two thirds of Russians are happy with their present economic and social status, according to experts from the Yuri Levada Analytical Center. About the same number of Russians are dissatisfied with the economic environment. In a pool conducted by the center, 66% of respondents said they were more or less satisfied with their lives, while 33% were unhappy with their present situation. Interestingly, says Vremya Novostei, 46% of those asked, nevertheless, described Russia's economic situation as bad, but 41% Russians were enthusiastic about the country's economic developments.
Alexei Makarkin, head of analysis at the Center for Political Technologies, explained the discrepancy through the specific features of the Russian mindset. "Our people have simply learned to survive in their circumstances, in a difficult economic situation. They pursue different strategies from growing vegetables and raising livestock on their land plots, to renting out flats and having two or three jobs. Many of them are living rather decent lives rather than surviving. They describe their efforts' results as positive," said the expert. However, people assess the economic situation in the country as experts rather than interested persons. "Moreover, if a person is more or less successful in an economically backward country, his self-esteem increases," said Mr. Makarkin. "This kind of a person ascribes personal successes to himself and economic problems to the authorities. This approach has not, thus far, been applied to the president, however."
In the Analytical Center poll, the president enjoys the support of 56% of the population, the Church of 43% and the Army of 30%. Only 5% of the people trust political parties and 10% the police. |
