The middle class as a whole thinks that business is developing better and the law has become kinder to the small businessman. The sign reads "Do you have an idea? Be brave! It is time for small business to grow."
Photo: Oleg Kharseev
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Middle Class Ready to Emigrate
Half of the representatives of the middle class say there is no stability in Russia, and only 13 percent say there is stability and it is likely to remain for a long time. Those findings come from research done by the Levada Center on the preferences and expectations of the middle class. Residents of 14 large Russian cities between the ages of 24 and 39, with higher educations and monthly incomes above average for the country (€1500 in Moscow, €100 in St. Petersburg, €800 in other cities) were questioned. Most of those educated and prosperous Russians consider the current stability temporary. Some of them even confessed that current conditions create a sense of impending doom in them.
The middle class as a whole thinks that business is developing better and the law has become kinder to the small businessman. But those assessments come along with statements such as “I am afraid they will unexpectedly change the rules of the game.” The reason for such pessimism is the perception that stability in the country is based not on institutional changes but on favorable oil prices. Seventy-six percent of respondents did not feel protected against arbitrary actions by the authorities or police and 60 percent are convinced that officials do not follow the law.
The picture is contradictory. On the whole, the middle class thinks Russia is developing rapidly and will soon become a world leader. But that does not prevent half of the respondents from thinking about emigration at least sometimes. That desire arises, as a rule, among those with the most education and highest incomes, that is, the most economically active, who are either entrepreneurs or capable of becoming entrepreneurs. That cannot be a healthy atmosphere for government plans to develop small business and innovation in Russia.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 03, 2008
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