Even if almost 81 percent of young Slovaks think democracy is the best political system, almost half of them are willing to sacrifice some democratic principles for a higher standard of living or for increased security, according to a survey released on Monday. About a third of young Slovaks would welcome a strong leader who does not have to bother with Parliament and civil society.
Sociologist Oľga Gyárfášova
Máte problém s prehrávaním? Nahláste nám chybu v prehrávači.
Says sociologist Oľga Gyárfášova from the think tank Institute for Public Affairs, one of the authors of the survey which was conducted in the form of face-to-face interviews among people aged 16 to 29 at the end of last year. The majority of respondents, 63 percent of them, declared themselves dissatisfied with the current political situation in Slovakia, the older and more educated the participants the higher the level of dissatisfaction. More than half of young Slovaks, however, are not interested in politics and public affairs. Voting and signing petitions is the most common form of political engagement, with going on strike and being a member of a political party at the bottom of the level of interest. Only 41 percent of respondents identify themselves with the political party they vote for, with its figure scoring lower than one for a favourite band or sports club.
For more on this survey including young Slovaks' attitude towards foreigners, tune into next Monday's edition of Slovakia Today.
