HAS HOPE DIED? WE BECOME NATURAL-BORN PESSIMISTS
Poverty in Ukraine is now one of the most debated problems as well as the object of various political mythologies. Although politicians worry about a possible social explosion, many of them would lose their place in the election market if there was no poverty in the country.
However, today we have every reason to say that the possibility of civil disorder connected with declining living standards is close to nil. Even under conditions of the contemporary market, almost everybody has the chance to work. At the same time, adapting the Soviet mentality and working out economic life strategies take much time and effort. The major part of the Ukrainian population is constituted by people, who do not want to adapt to the situation, they are simply drifting down the river of life, waiting for changes for the better and doing nothing. According to the survey, conducted by Socis-Gallop (1200 people interviewed), every other Ukrainian citizen belongs to this category.
Apparently, this passiveness explains why 74% of those questioned estimate their financial status as poor and very poor. However, only 2% are ready to participate in pickets, protest meetings, and demonstrations if their living standards further decline. And only 1% would not hesitate to use violence. 18% are going to take it to the limit, another 18% will start looking for a better-paying job, 6% will turn to God for help, and 3% are ready to start begging.
What Ukrainians do to fight the poverty is basically limiting their needs. 75% of those surveyed restrict themselves in buying clothes and furniture, a half limit the quantity and quality of the food they eat, 25% use public transportation only if there is no other way or try to avoid paying for it. Every fifth delays paying rent and utilities bills, the same number admit they borrow money and food from their friends, and 10% sell even things they need.
Though they say that hope dies last, people are very pessimistic about their future. 48% of those questioned consider passiveness to be the main trait of Ukrainians; they are waiting for some wise man to come and solve their problems. Only 12% said they have recently found a better-paying job, and almost a half say they do not see any promising opportunities at all.
Further, about 40% claimed they have lost the opportunity to make enough money, and 35% are no longer proud to be Ukrainian citizens. One-third of those surveyed do not think their life will go on the way they want it or that they can achieve anything.
Active launching of economic reforms might be able to solve the problem of poverty. However, people do not think the reforms introduced can have any significant impact on them. In particular, a number of walks of life were mentioned, which suffered the most from the reforms, such as pensioners (94%), workers and peasants (87%), and youth (74%). Among the winners from reforms the respondents named People’s Deputies, top officials, Mafia dons, businessmen, bankers and, for some reason, farmers. Almost half of those who actually think reforms are taking place in Ukraine consider the changes to be the result of efforts by the Mafia and corrupt officials who become richer. One-third believes our reforms are simply copied from the experience of other countries.
