RUSSIAN PUBLIC-OPINION BETWEEN ELECTIONS

Analysis of public attitudes in Russia today reveals substantial polit ical fatigue and mistrust of political leaders and institutions. Distr ust of the 'democrats' does not translate into support for authoritari anism, however, or into an anti-reform, anti-democratic backlash. Econ omically, Russians support a mixed economy with market incentives and social guarantees, while politically they are essentially centrist. Wi th a multi-party system still only embryonic, party identifications ar e weak, and no party as yet effectively represents the centrist views of most Russian voters.