PLURALITY OF RUSSIANS WOULD PREFER A RETURN TO THE PAST.

In a poll of 1,600 Russian citizens of various ages and social backgrounds, 42 percent of respondents said they would prefer a planned economy for Russia. Only 33 percent said they preferred a market economy, and 25 percent had no opinion. The poll, which was conducted by Moscow’s respected All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM), found that 41 percent of respondents thought a "Soviet-style" system was best for Russia, with 27 percent preferring Western-style democracy, and 9 percent opting for Russia’s current system. (Russian Radio, April 14)

Reports of the VTsIOM polls do not give details of generational differences, but polls have consistently shown that younger Russians tend to prefer democracy and market relations, while older Russians are nostalgic for "the good old days." For example, recent research by Professor Richard Rose of Strathclyde University shows that, of Russians aged under 30, more than 33 percent approve the new regime and only 20 percent would like to return to the past. Of those aged over 60, by contrast, only 20 percent approve the present regime and 60 percent would favor returning to the past. (Financial Times, April 15)

Member of Russian General Staff Comments on Alternative Service.