Abstract
Comparative analysis of data from the Democracy and Local Governance research program shows that political power in the Slavic states of the former USSR is based on similar social and political values: social equality; dominant rights of the majority; and inequality of political participation of various social strata and groups. Local political leaders acknowledge social conflict as undesirable, although it is an inevitable component of a modern social system. These leaders are adapting very slowly to democratic principles of governing. The values of a totalitarian mentality remain strong in the face of a society in the process of transformation. Years will be needed for basic democratic principles of governing to become internalized values of political leaders.
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