* RUSSIA * UKRAINE * POPULATION * POLL * DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS

2004-12-24 13:21

http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5248501&startrow=1&date=2004-12-24&do_alert=0

MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti) - Opinion polls show that there are fewer supporters of democracy in Russia than in Ukraine. Ukrainians and Russians agree that Russians will not become more politically motivated in the foreseeable future, reported Vremya Novostei.

According to the opinion poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Center (VTsIOM) in November, 40% of respondents believe democracy is the best form of government in any circumstances. Less people (24%) believe dictatorship can be more effective than democracy in certain circumstances. And a rather large portion (27%) take a relativistic approach saying that "for individuals like me there is not difference between a dictatorship and democracy." The majority of respondents (56%) are not happy with the performance of Russia's democratic institutions.

A survey conducted by DIAS, showed that 64% of Ukrainians prefer the democratic form of government. About the same number (61%) of respondents said they were not satisfied with democratic institutes in their country. Ukrainians did not believe in the effectiveness of the majority of democratic institutes from the beginning and therefore resorted to protests.

According to VTsIOM's December survey, Russians are skeptical about the possibility of a "revolutionary" upturn in Russia.

The sections and groups of society which "propelled" mass protests in Ukraine are the least politically motivated in Russia. The most capable sections of Russian society (middle class, the youth, residents of large industrial cities, above all Moscow and St. Petersburg) apply their energy in areas besides the public and political spheres.

A sharp deterioration of the economic situation accompanied by a decline in living standards for the majority of people could prompt Russians to protest in the streets, 32% of respondents said.

However, the 1998 financial crisis did not lead to mass protests in Russia.