What Belarusians are guided by in their uncomfortable life? Why the overwhelming majority keeps silent about the absence of progress in the sphere of economy and living standards? We shall run the risks of assuming that fear is the most significant factor determining such behavior of the majority of Belarusians. A too big part of public life is under the state, it regulates public relations too rigidly, it thrusts its leading and guiding role too actively. It resulted in a low independence of the majority while solving their life problems, concern about their future and humble expectation of manna from authorities (See Table 1). As we could see, less than one third of the respondents (30.3%) is optimistic about job problems, whereas 45.3% are pessimistic in this respect and have to hold to it.
Table 1. Distribution of answers to the question “Which of the below statements corresponds to your position?”
| Variant of answer |
%
|
| If for some reasons I lose my main job, it will undermine my welfare and the welfare of my family. It will be very difficult to find other sources of income |
45.3
|
| If for some reasons I lose my main job, most likely I will find other ways to earn living and provide for my family |
30.3
|
Table 2. Distribution of answers to the question “Numerous private trading outlets have appeared over the recent years – from large clothing and automobile markets to small kiosks. How often do you use their services?”
Table 3. Distribution of answers to the question “Do you possess immovables or means of production (land plot, vehicle, tractor, trading equipment, other machinery) which you use to earn money?”
