What the Citizens of Serbia Fear

Public Opinion in Serbia: SCARED, INDECISIVE AND DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Only four percent of the citizens of Serbia claim to be living well, as much as 30 percent would have never chosen to live here, only three percent would keep everything as it is, 40 percent of them are disappointed, 30 percent are anxious for one reason or another, 28 percent are under strain for being unable to do anything, 39 percent of people are without hope...

AIM, PODOGRICA, October 8, 1999 (By AIM correspondent from Belgrade)

"Everyone who has not lost his mind in these nine years - is crazy" is a black humour joke with which some people try to comfort themselves, while others who have long ago lost their sense of humour start their day cursing the country they are living in: "Why of all places I had to be born right here". The mood of the citizens of Serbia is visible at first sight and best described as depression. Some think that the way this nation has become reconciled with its fate very much resembles a collective doom.

What do the experts say? A public opinion poll (the first major survey after the war ended conducted on a sample of 1,588 Serbian citizens of age) aimed at determining the mood, feelings and political opinion of the citizens of Serbia was conducted in early September by a team of experts led by Srecko Mihajlovic from the Institute of Social Sciences.

The results have shown that only four percent of people in Serbia claim to be living well, as much as 30 percent would have never chosen to live here, only three percent would keep everything as it is, 40 percent of them are disappointed, 30 percent are anxious for one reason or another, 28 percent are under strain for being unable to do anything, 39 percent of people are without hope...

A decade of life under constant stress and the deterioration of living conditions, as well as the consequences of bombing have taken their toll. As much as five percent of citizens frequently or daily complain of the symptoms which are typical indicators of anxiety and depression. It turned out that 38 percent of Serbs frequently or constantly feel tired and exhausted, 37 percent are fed up and 22% are haunted by dark thoughts every day.

As much as nine out of ten people are worried because of the fall in living standards, inflation and impossibility to find work. Eight in every ten respondents live in fear of getting ill and being unable to pay for medical treatment, and are worried by the lack of morals, by the corruption and disregard of laws, fear a possible NATO intervention and war with a neighbouring country or civil war. The data that 92 percent of citizens are scared that the living standards might continue to fall speaks best of the economic situation of the population and that 89 percent are afraid of inflation and hunger shows that a large segment of the population is already poverty stricken. Worries caused by the impossibility to find work or possible loss of employment are sufficient explanation of the disappointment, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, confusion, helplessness, but also rage, that are so widespread among the population (82 percent)

The inquirers were surprised by the finding that even 52 percent of respondents are worried because of possible expulsion. Members of all national groups have that same fear. As much as half of the pollees of Serbian nationality are afraid that something like that might happen to them which is the best indicator of the precarious conditions under which the citizens of Serbia are living.

"Luckily, so much discontent does not necessarily generate dissatisfaction with one's own life, although the number of dissatisfied citizens is 5 percent higher than that of satisfied respondents. Nevertheless, people manage to find reason to continue their life such as it is", said Srecko Mihajlovic, the survey leader. "We have concluded that 36 percent of respondents are more or less satisfied with their lives, but that 35 percent of them are not (14 percent are absolutely dissatisfied, and others are mostly dissatisfied)".

The extent to which people are tolerant in assessing their own (dis)satisfaction is best seen in the way they describe the life of their friends, explained Mihajlovic. Respondents mostly think that only 8 percent of people in their immediate surroundings are satisfied with their lives, 36 percent more or less satisfied, while as much as 56 percent are not.

Apart from the usual reasons for satisfaction which are related to children, family and health, the main reason for dissatisfaction in three percent of the surveyed (cynically or without any cynicism) is the fact that "they are alive", that "they breathe", and that "they are still here", whatever it may mean. According to poll takers, rather indicative is the finding that two fifths of the respondents (40 percent) either do not know what could make them happy or think that there is nothing that could satisfy them.

"Faced with the general deterioration of the situation and the loss of all support and security, citizens are no longer sure what can be considered normal nor what to think of the behaviour of other people and, for that matter, their own behaviour. What we used to condemn in others when it comes to us personally we are inclined to tolerate. The criteria on honesty, decency...are constantly lowered" Mihajlovic explained the findings of the survey according to which the society has been destroyed and is falling apart practically before our very eyes.

Citizens think as badly about the system as they think about their own lives. The survey showed that an average citizen not only mistrusts the authorities and leading social institutions, but is also surrounded by people who are filled with the same distrust. Namely, the people mostly do not have confidence in the political system and think that it is functioning poorly. Over half (54 percent of the pollees) think that the functioning of the system is growing worse and that it will soon stop functioning altogether, 28 percent think that the system has numerous deficiencies but is still functioning, while 14 percent doesn't know what to say about the system. Only four percent of respondents is of the opinion that the system is functioning well. The survey takers point out that the number of dissatisfied with the functioning of the system is growing year after year: from 32 percent in 1996 to 45 percent in 1997 and this year to 54 percent.

The citizens distrust the most the following institutions: the ruling parties, the FRY President, the state-controlled media, the Republican Government, the President of Serbia. Over 60 percent of the pollees said they they have no trust in them. It is interesting that 50 percent of the people do not trust the opposition either. Something over half of the citizens of Serbia have confidence in only three institutions: the military, the school system and the church. Asked to name one institution they trust most 34 percent of respondents named the army, 24 percent the church and the school system. In comparison to the previous period, confidence in the Army has grown by as much as 22 percent, while the distrust has fallen by 32 percent.

The FRY President ranks highest among institution which enjoy least confidence of the masses (34 percent), followed by the state media (13 percent), opposition parties (10 percent), ruling parties (seven percent), the police (four percent)...

What kind of "political material" these citizens of Serbia make? What can the authorities and opposition count with when it comes to people who live very poorly, who are intimidated, concerned for their future and see no possibility of improvement either for themselves or others - i.e. the people who are consequently rather uptight?

The latest public opinion survey conducted in Serbia shows that very few people see any connection between their miserable life and politics and that even those who do see it are not convinced that political involvement can change anything. According to the survey, about one fourth to one third of citizens are interested in politics, one third is mildly interested, while over one third is totally disinterested. Of those interested, 17 percent do not care who will win the elections - it is of no importance for them.

The political activity of two fifths of the citizens is reduced to their participation in the elections. They do not show readiness to risk anything, not even when it comes legal political actions and approved political protests. Consequently, some 56 percent of respondents are not ready to risk any conflicts within the family or with neighbours, 55 percent do not want any quarrel with political opponents, 63 percent are not willing to risk losing a job, 68 percent would always avoid conflict with the police and 70 percent do not want to risk being arrested. This group of politically passive citizens is not convinced that political activity could change anything. They are ready to act only if they think that many people would take part in it.

Majority of the citizens of Serbia oppose the use of force as a means of introducing change. The last three public opinion surveys have shown that a relatively constant number of respondents approve of changes through reforms (48 to 56 percent of the pollees accept it), but also a noticeable increase in the percentage of those who are in favour of "quick and deep changes by force, if need be". Two years ago that figure was 30 percent and now has reached 35.

According to the survey, citizens of Serbia have a relatively defined vision of the form of government they want in this state: they are expressly against the rule of the army or monarchy and prefer parliamentary democracy, especially the government of experts. As much as 83 percent of citizens are in favour of a government of experts. Respondents are for a change of government at extraordinary elections in which the opposition would run jointly, although there are indications that they are rather fed up with the existing parties and their leaders. Two thirds of citizens do not think a single leader or party is capable of leading our society out of the crisis.

According to the survey findings, the picture of socio-psychological state of the citizens of Serbia is overwhelming. The citizens are dissatisfied, they are for changes, but not yet ready to take any risks or at least not until their "blood boils" and they find themselves in dire straits. Perhaps that is why one should keep in mind the answer of 19 percent of respondents to the question on the ways out of the present crisis. Namely, they think that the people would revolt, that a spontaneous and unpredictable rebellion of the people will occur forcing the regime to introduce changes. That was the most frequent answer. After that followed the answer of 17 percent of respondents who see the solution in elections which the opposition would win.

Vesna Bjekic

(AIM)